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Soil, Climate and iNDUSTRiErs. 






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IPI^IGE, S5 GJEISTTS. 



Hammonton, N. J. 
The Mirror Steam Printing House. 

1889. 



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ILLUSTRATED HISTORY 



OF THE 



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WITH AN ACCOUNT OF ITS 



Soil, Climate and Industries. 



BY / ^* c )P'^R'GHr %_ 

MAY 171889 ; 
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i^KIGE, S5 CEISTTS. 



Hammonton, N. J. 
The Mirror Steam Printing House. 

1889. 



COPYKIGHTED 1889 BY WiLBUR AND HaND, 






HISTORY OF HAMMONTON. 



CHAPTER I. 

Whence Came the Land. — West Jersey and its Settle- 
ment. — The Bounds of Old Gloucester, Etc. 

It isn't so very long ago, that land was the perogative of 
kings, and was doled out to feudal lords, friends and retainers 
in royal fashion, and if the people got it at all it was from 
the king. Enough of this existed two hundred years ago as 
to cause Charles the II to give his brother, the Duke of York, 
a ro^'al charter for the land embracing the present states of 
New York and New Jersey. In 1664 the Duke deeded to 
Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret, the territory known 
as Nova Ca^saria, New Jersey, and eleven years later Carteret 
sold his undivided half of the territory to John Fenwick, in 
trust for Edward Byllinge. Dissatisfaction was the result of 
this transfer, and Byllinge made over this possession to his , 
creditors, putting it in the hands of trustees, of whom Wil- 
liam Penn was one. The trustees immediately went to work 
to put the lands of their trust in the market for settlement, 
the first step being to secure a division of the territor}^ sepa- 
rating their half from that owned by Lord Berkelej'. The 
dividing line accordingly agreed upon began at Little Egg 
Harbor bay, and ran nearly North to a point on the Delaware 
river just above the forty-first parallel of latitude. The 
part South and West of this dividing line became the prov- 
ince of West Jersey, and was divided into one hundred 
parts, ten of which were assigned to Fenwick, before men- 
tioned, and ninety parts remained to be sold for the benefit of 



4 History of Hammonton. 

the creditors of the said Edward Byllinge. The holders of 
these uiuety parts in the order of their purchase, became the 
West Jersey Proprietors, mentioned in the history of this 
province. 

The plan of peaceable intercourse and understanding with 
the Indians, adopted by Penn in Pennsylvania, was applied 
to New Jersey, and although enjoying a land tenure running 
through deeds from Carteret, and the Duke of York, back to 
the Royal Charles, there was an honest assumption that King 
•Charles had granted titles to lauds he did not actually own, 
and to use a modern expression, was not able to deliver the 
goods he had couve3'ed, while the native Indians stood in the 
way by the right of possession. Accordingly Penn and his 
associate trustees, through accredited agents, proceeded to 
back up their title from King Charles b}' title from Indian 
chiefs. As this work was accomplished, settlements began 
and progressed, colonies taking up land at Salem and Bur- 
lington, and founding in earnest the province of West Jersey. 
These first settlers were mostly members of the Society of 
Friends, and had no trouble in peaceably occupying the soil 
they had secured. 

County lines were established, and wide extent given to 
these subdivisions of the West Jersey domain. Salem, 
Gloucester and Burlington were the first counties established. 
The county of Gloucester was first laid out in 1677, and em- 
braced the territory now included in the counties of Camden, 
Atlantic and Gloucester. 

The present county of Atlantic was not organized until 
1837, and had been in existence but nineteen years when the 
new towil of Hammonton received its first impetus. 

To particularly trace the land of which the Hammonton tract 
was a part, back to its original ownership, would be an inter- 
esting, although a toilsome task, and exceeding the limits of 
this little book. Still an intelligent history demands that we 
examine in brief some of the conveyances and reconveyances 
through which the soil of our prosperous town has passed. 

In 1748 the West New Jersey Society located 33,078 acres 
of land, and two years later the same society located 36,241 



History of Hammonton. 5- 

acres additional. Tliis land remained idle and unproductive 
in the hands of the Society until 1713, when a resurvey was 
made of the two tracts, which were found to contain 78,060 
acres. Another lapse of years followed, and in 1812 Phineas 
Bond, attorney of the Society, sold the whole tract to Charles 
Shoemaker, George Ashbridge, Morris Robinson and John 
and Joseph Paul, of Philadelphia. This vast possession is 
described in the original deed of transfer, and in the various 
instruments by which its divided parts were afterwards con- 
veyed, as being located in the townships of Great Egg Harbor, 
Galloway and We^^mouth, in Gloucester county. 

The passage of the land from the West Jersey Society, was 
the beginning of its settlement, b^^ purchase in various tracts 
by different owners. In 1805, 13,821 acres of this vast pos- 
session were sold to William Richards, and in January 1808, 
Richards sold 654 acres of the above purchase, to William 
Griffith, Griffith sold his interest in the following August to 
John R. Coates, and in 1814 this tract was sold by Coates to^ 
William Coffin. 

August IT, 1743 Mar^^ Kirkbride located 944 acres. This 
land passed though the hands of the historic Pemberton fam- 
ily, and in 1804 was deeded to the William Griffith who 
purchased the 654 acres of the West Jersey Society tract 
previously mentioned. • The Kirkbride tract was conveyed by 
Griffith to Benjamin B. Cooper, by him reconve3'ed to Griffith 
by whom it' was sold in 1808 to John R. Coates, and by him 
in 1814 to the William Coffin mentioned above. 

These two surveys, containing an aggregate of 1598 acres, 
comprised the "Old Hammondton" tract. Upon the death of 
William Coffin in 1844, this property was left by will to John 
Hammond and Edward Winslow Coffin, sons of the-deceased. 

Of the above two tracts, the 654 acres originally a part of 
the West Jersey Societ^^'s domain, lay in nearly a square 
chunk, to the North and East of the present village of Ham- 
monton, taking in the lake, running to a |)oint nearly where 
the present park borders on Egg Harbor road, and then 
running North-west in nearly a straight line. The Kirkbride 
tract began at the Society's corner near the lake, ran North- 
west and then South to the old Chew road, crossing the 
present railroad near the Buzby farm, and following the Chew 



6 History of Hammontov. 

road to a point nearly opposite the lower end of the lake, and 
then to the aforesaid Society's corner, or place of beginning. 
It may be remarked that the smallest tract cut from the 
West Jersey Society's 78,000 acres, was a piece of land sold 
in 1804, and containing 168 and uinet>'-one hundredths acres, 
to John Horn, George Horn and Stephen Horn, of the town- 
ship of Galloway, Gloucester county. This is now the old 
Horn farm near New Columbia, which is still in possession of 
descendants of the original purchasers. The price paid was 
a])out $3 per acre. 



CHAPTER II. 

■"Old Hammondton" — Early Traditions — Its Life, Business 
AND Industries. 

Where tradition leaves off", and actual, authentic history 
begins, is generally a puzzle in relation to the growth of na- 
tions and peoples, and what is true on a large scale, also 
holds good in an effort to get at the first beginnings in Ham- 
monton. 

Traditionally, it is said, that the first settlement, if one or 
i;wo cabins may be dignified by that name, in the vicinity of 
Hammonton, was near where the old Egg Harbor road crosses 
the head of the lake. It is said that this mythical first settler 
was a migratory son of Erin, and that he kept a groggery at 
this most lonesome spot in the wilderness. Such a location 
might have been fit for a "moonshiner," but could hardly 
have been a profitable location for a liquor saloon, even at a 
time when everybod}^ drank. This Irishman's name was 
Mullen, and it is barely possible that he may have eked out a 
feeble existence entertaining the few travelers who in those 
days journeyed from the city to the sea. Had he a wife, chil- 
dren or other ftimily, tradition saith not, and from whence he 
came, and whither he went, the guardian spirits of undevel- 
oped history are equally silent. 

About the time when our countr}- was having its second 
war with Great Britain, say 1812, William Coffln,whose father 
was a native of the island of Nantucket, Mass., and who had 
settled at Green Bank, Burlington county, this State,came to 
Hammonton under an agreement with John Coates to build 
and operate a saw mill. Coffin operated the mill for a couple 
of years, and then purchased it, with the tract of land men- 
tioned in the last chapter. The mill at the lake, now owned 
and operated by George W. Elvins, stands upon the site 
occupied by the mill of the days of Coffin and Coates. 

CO 



8 History of Hammonton. 

Those were the days of small things, when a little money- 
went a good ways, and trade was carried on by barter rather 
than bank checks. Still the industrious and economical pros- 
pered, and to this class Mr. Coffin belonged. The saw mil! 
was his principal industry until 1817, when in company with 
Jonathan Haines, then in the business at Clementon, Burling- 
ton county, he commenced the erection of a glass factory. 
Haines and Coffin continued the business until 1821, when 
the firm dissolved, Haines moving to Waterford, and starting 
the glass business at that place. 

The elder Coffin manufactured glass and lumber until 1836, 
when he leased the works to his son Bodine Coffin, and his 
son-in-law Andrew K. Hay. The firm of Coffin & Ha}" was 
dissolved in about two 3^ears, and then William Collin oper- 
ated the works until his death in 1844. Upon the death of 
the father the factories and the estate passed to the ownership 
of John Hammond and Edward Winslow, the sons. In 1846 
Edward sold his share of the property to hi« brother John. 

The town was named for John Hammond Coffin and was 
then known as "Hammondton," the "d'' having been drop- 
ped after the new settlement was begun. 

There is little now at the lake to remind one of the d:i.ys of 
Coffin. The glass factory was located on what is now the 
corner of Central and Hammonton avenues, in the middle of 
W. H. French's blackberry patch. The flattening ovens were 
situated on the opposite side of the road, near the present 
residence of Henry Niccolai. What is now called Hammon- 
ton avenue, was then Waterford road. The old house on the 
right-hand side of Hammonton avenue, going towards the 
lake was the old Coffin mansion, the older part of which was 
built in 1812, and the larger or main part in 182.5, and between 
it and the lake, was the store, where the Coffin eraploj'ees did 
their trading. The larger and more pretentious house, on the 
corner of Pleasant Mills road, was built by Andrew K. Hay,, 
after he became a rising business man of the region, and be- 
fore he entered upon his prosperous career at Winslow. 

The glass manufactured bj' the Coffins sought an outlet ta 
the market by being carted to the forks in the Mullica river 
one and one-half miles below Pleasant Mills, from which point. 



History of Hammonton. 9 

it was carried b}^ water to the New York and Philadelphia 
markets. 

The lumber for the original Richards mansion at Batsto, 
was sawed at the Coffin mill, soon after he began its oper- 
ation. 

"Old Hammondton" was a business and social oasis in the 
wilderness. When sickness came the doctor was sought in 
Haddonfield, and it may be that the general healthfulness was 
due to the fact that the ph^'sician was so far away. 
The preacher came about once in two weeks, and always le- 
ceived hospitality and cheer under the Coffin roof. 

Religious services were held in a combined church and 
school house, which stood back from the old Waterford road 
and near the Miner Rogers farm. There is an old grave 
yard th?re now to mark the spot, in which sleep the ashes of 
sixteen of Hammonton 's early settlers. The oldest grave 
stone is dated January, 1841, and marks the ^-esting place of 
Abigail Daniels, and by a strange fatality the last person 
burried there as late as 1855 was Charles Daniels. In this 
house the .young members of the Coffin famil}' received the 
rudiments of their education. Later a new house was built 
where the present Lake School House stands. 

In 1840 the Coffin glass works were burned, but were im- 
mediately rebuilt, and he then sent to Massachusetts, and 
imported a new gang of workmen, the old ones having been 
discharged for cause, and under suspicion of having set fire 
to the property. Soon after this a post-office was established, 
and as a matter of course William Coffin became the first 
postmaster. 

Communication with the outside world was b}^ stage, which 
ran from Camden to Leeds' Point every Wednesday and Sat- 
urday, and made the return trips Thursdays and Mondays. 
This was the "fast" mail route of the primitive days. Rich- 
ard Cake was the first stage driver, and after him came 
William Satt. He was succeeded by Captain Kimble who 
pulled the "ribbons" over the stage coach team, until the build- 
ing of the railroad caused the stage and the stage driver to 
move on to a wilder country. It is said that when anything 
happened that Capt. Kimble couldn't drive the route, his wife 



10 History of Hammonton. 

would mount the box, and apply the lasb with niasculine 
vigor. 

Some idea may be obtained of the social and family life of 
the people who worked in the factory at "Old Hammondton," 
and a glimpse may be had of how the^' lived, b}' noting the 
store purchases of the workmen. An entr^' from Mr. Cotlin's 
day book, runs about as follows : 1 quarter of flour; 5 pounds 
of pork, 1 pound of sugar; 1 plug of tobacco; 1 quart of mo- 
lasses; 1 quart of rum; and it is averred that this individual 
entery was duplicated by nearly every head of a fam-ly who 
worked in the factory. The sameness in quantity of the rum 
and molasses is singularh' suggestive, and demands no com- 
ment. 

Our way is not the way of the people of "Old Hammondton;" 
what was scarcely a hamlet, has become a poi)ulous, prosper- 
ous ind thrift}^ town, and while we may flatter ourselves that 
a decade of our time is worth a cycle of that of the older 
time, still au lionorable fortune Avas made in those daj'S, and 
happiness and good fellowship abounded "at the lake" in 
those ante-bellum times. 



CHAPTER III. 

Building the New Town — Byrnes and Landis — Early 
Buying and Settling. 

The years just preceding the war of the rebellion, were 
marked by new efforts to develop and improve South Jersey. 
"Within a few j'^ears of each other Elwood, Hammonton and 
Yineland received their lirst inception, and the effort began, 
which turned many acres of the Jerse}^ wilderness into fertile 
fields and blossoming gardens, and infused new moral and 
intellectual blood into the life of this region, by transplanting 
families from New England and New York, to become part 
of the population of the commonwealth of New Jersey. The 
''•Yankees" in their coming, both acted, and were acted upon. 
They brought new ideas and methods, which were appropri- 
ated by the older towns to their benefit, and as time goes by 
both natives and new comers in all this section find that in 
getting better acquainted both are mutually benefitted and 
blessed. 

In 1856, Richard J. Byrnes, a young banker of the Quaker 
city, and Charles K. Landis, a young Philadelphia lawyer, 
formed a copartnership for the purpose of engaging in the 
real estate, stock and note business. 

Just across the Delaware, and almost so close as to really 
he considered a suburb of Philadelphia, was the South Jer- 
sey wilderness. Early in their business career, several tracts 
of this wilderness, in and adjoining " Old Hammondton," 
were secured by Messrs. Byrnes and Landis co be disposed 
of as their judgments might dictate. These tracts of land 
were owned in part by Charlotte Cushman, the actress, by 
heirs of the Richards family, the Chew and Cooper fami- 
lies, and the Peterson family, of whom the Philadelphia 
publishing firm are members. 

The new proprietors at once began the advertisement and 
sale of their land, in farms and tracts to suit purchasers. 
Their headquarters were at the lake in the old Coffin house 

(11) 



12 History of Hammonton, 

Passengers by the newly built Camden and Atlantic Railroad, 
left the cars at Da Costa, which was then Hammonton station, 
and was about two miles below our present depot. 

May 15th, 1857, the first purchase of land was made of the 
new proprietors, by Matthew Seagrove, of Philadelphia. This 
purchase included four acres of land, and an old house, a 
remnant of the old Coffin glass manufacturing property. 

In the summer of the same year, Capt. A. Somerby, fresh 
from Newbur3 port, Mass., arrived in town, and purchased a 
piece of land at the foot of what is now Central avenue. 
Upon it he erected the first house built in the Hammonton 
of the new time. It is the house at the lake, now owned and 
occupied by John Myers, Sr. 

All of the first sales of land, and the earl^^ improvements, 
were made in the vicinity of the lake, and mostly on the 
Pleasant Mills road. In October, 1857, John Myers bought 
the farm, and soon built the house on that road, now occupied 
by his son William. The section on Main Road in the vicin- 
ity of what is now known as Elvins' corner, was opened up 
to settlement in the fall of 1857. Capt. Somerby had sold 
his new house at the lake, and moving up the road purchased 
the farm now the Ransom nursery, and erected a house upon 
the same before the end of the year. The Swift farm was 
taken up by Harry Tucker, a Boston man, and by John W. 
Champlain, of Duchess count}^, New York. 

Main road along which these settlements were made, was 
the old stage road from Philadelphia to the sea. It was a 
crooked thoroughfare winding through the wilderness. The 
old road wais kept, but was straightened, graded and improA'ed. 
The other roads about town were surveyed in the Fall of '57 
and Spring of '58, and opened up as fast as possible. The 
people came rapidl}', and land was sold with a rush, faster in 
fact than the roads could be l>uilt to give the purchasers 
access to their possessions. 

In 1858 what is now Hammonton Station was established, 
and Bellevue avenue was opened, to become tLe main street 
of the town. The new town had its ups and downs, especially its 
downs. The war of the rebellion came on, and some of the 
men who had staked their all in Jersey to subdue the wilder- 



History of Hammonton. 13 

ness, enlisted to help save the country. Discouragement arose, 
and dark days lowered over the infant settlement. But pluck 
and perseverance characterized the Hammonton pioneers. 
They were here to stay, and wisely deciding to bear the ills 
they had until they could conquer them, instead of fl3'ing to 
others they knew not of, they sensibly settled down, to 
achieve that prosperit}' as a fruit growing community, which 
has so abundantly' crowed their efforts. 

In 1859, the older part of what is now Whiffen Bros.' shoe 
factory, was erected by the late Capt. C. J. Fay. It stood on 
Bellevue avenue, between the present site of Fay's drug store, 
and the Camden & Atlantic railroad. For about five years it 
did service as a planing mill, and in it Fay's hay, cotton and 
cider presses were made. From this time on buildings mul- 
tiplied at what is now the center of the town. John Stewart, 
of Philadelphia, built the house where Judge B3'rnes resides 
about this time. In the Spring of 1860, A. J. Delano, from the 
state of Maine, built a small building where the store of S. E. 
Brown & Co. now stands. For a couple of years it was used 
as a hotel. The following year, another Maine Yankee, Eli 
Hanson, by name, invested in hotel number two, purchasing 
the lot, now ornamented by Wooley's handsome brick block. 
This building did hotel service till 1866, when it was pur- 
chased by Mr. E. J. Woolley, and transformed into a store 
and dwelling. In a sort of apostolic upper chamber in this 
building, Mr.^.Woolley's son Dion produced the Hornet, which. 
in time evoluted into the Atlantic Mirror, of which more fur- 
ther on. The old house was moved to its present location on 
Vine street, to make room for the brick block before men- 
tioned. The building now, and for many years known as 
Tilton's store, was commenced in 1861, but it came to a stand- 
still when in an unfinished condition, and remained so until 
1864, when P. S, Tilton and Pardon Ryan, of Smith's Land- 
ing, purchased the unfinished structure, completing it, and 
starting the store which still holds a most prosperous and 
honorable place in the merchantile life of the town. Mr. 
Ryan retired from the business in about two years. This 
building for a number of years was the accommodation post 
office, when the main office was out at Elvins' corner. 



14 History of Hammonton. 

Earl}^ in 1861, Messrs. Landis and Byrnes parted compan}', 
the partnership existing between them being mutually dis- 
solved. Mr. Byrnes remained to grow old and ripen with 
Hammonton, while Mr. Landis went over into Cumberland 
county, and on the 8th of August in that year stuck the 
proverbial first stake in what has become far-famed Vineland. 
He still resides there, but his attention is principally absorbed 
in looking after Sea Isle City, the successful summer resort 
he founded on Ludlam's beach. 

Hammonton remained a part of Mullica township until 186(5, 
when finding that she was old enough to go the journey of 
life alone, application was made to the Legislature for a charter 
to permit her to set up in business for herself. The bill grant- 
ing this privilege was a somewhat voluminous document, and 
was approved March 5th, 186G. Under its provisions an 
election was speedily held, the event taking place on the 14th 
of March. The election was held in Elvins' Hall, corner of 
Main road and Bellevue avenue, the following officers being 
elected : Council for two ^^ears, Peter S. Tilton, Thomas 
Wetherbee, Gerry Valentine ; Council for one year, John C. 
Bryant, Isaiah Potter, Jesse Thomas. Assessor, George F. 
Miller, 3 years ; George W. Pressey, 2 years ; A Somerby, 1 
year; Collector, Geo. Elvins; Town Clerk, E. P. McKean; Jus- 
tice, Alonzo Potter; Constable, S. W. Gilbert; Poundkeeper, 
H. T. Pressey ; Overseer of Roads, William A. Elvins; Com- 
missioners of Appeal, H. P. Crowell, S. M. Cathcart, James 
Duble; Town Superintendent, D. B. Snow; School Exam- 
iners, F. R. Brace, Asher Moore; Judge of Election, Asher 
Moore; Freeholders, William A. Elvins, John C. Bryant. A 
town tax was voted as follows : Dog tax, $1.50 per head. 
For town purposes, $1,000. For Schools $3 per scholar. 
At the first meeting of Council, Thomas S. Wetherbee was 
elected president, Peter S. Tilton, Councilman-elect, tendered 
his resignation, which was accepted, and Moses I). DePuy 
was elected to fill the vacanc3^ A series of conferences or 
conventions with the township committees of the townships 
of Mullica and Hamilton, were held lasting into the summer, 
for the purpose of apportioning the assets and liabilities of 
the various townships, so that the burdens and benefits should 



History of Hammonton. 15 

rest justly upon all. After a time this task was duly accom- 
plished. 

When Messrs. B3'rnes and Landis took possession of their 
domain in Jersey, they put in the field as selling agent, Judge 
Goorge A. Walker, of Philadelphia, and he kept the post 
office at the lake until 1859, when George H. Brigham, who 
lived at the corner of Fairview avenue and Main road, was 
appointed post master, and dispensed the mail matter from 
his residence. In the fall of the year, the administration of 
President Buchanan conferred the honors of postmaster at 
Hammonton upon Capt. C. J. Fay, and the post office was 
moved to his store near the railroad. He remained in charge 
of the same until the universal change which the war brought 
about in the civil service, and in 1862 George Elvins was ap- 
pointed postmaster, and removed the main office to his store 
at the corner of Main road and Bellevue avenue. A branch 
office was kept at Tilton's store, but this was discontinued by 
the government about 1883. Mr. Elvins was succeeded bv 
his wife, who served during his term in the Legislature, and 
he again succeeded to the office, and held it until his time ran 
out in 1887, when C. F. Osgood, was appointed by President 
Cleveland, and is now the efficient and respected incumbent 
of the position. Mr. Elvins fitted up the present cozy and 
attractive office. A branch office to accommodate the farmers 
of that region, is kept at Mr. Elvins' store. 

The first man to embark in pear culture in Hammonton, 
was Henry S. Ferris, on Main road near Walker. He still 
resides on the property. 

To a woman belongs the honor of building the first store. 
It was at Old Hammonton, and is still standing, the second 
building on the right hand side of Pleasant Mills road as you 
turn at the lake. The owner was Charlotte H. Speakman. 

The first child born in the new settlement was a son of 
William Hamlyn, who lived at the time on the place now 
owned and occupied by L. H. Parkhurst. This new comer 
was presented with a new dress by Judge Byrnes. 

The first blacksmith shop was built and owned by William 
Stimson, on what is now known as the Almy place on Belle- 
vue avenue. 



16 History of Hammonton. 

In 1859 A. W. Hortou built the first house on Bellevue 
avenue. It was located where M. L. Jackson's meat market 
now stands. The house was afterward removed to Grape 
street, and is now occupied as a residence by Mr. Harrald. 

George Henry put out the first strawberry patch, to raise 
the berries for the market. It was on the farm at the corner 
of Fourth street and Bellevue avenue, now occupied by Capt. 
Swank. 

In 1866, the 3'ear of the town's incorporation, a local cen- 
sus was taken, and it showed the town to contain 1422 inhab- 
itants ; Horses, cattle and swine 581 ; number of acres 
assessed, 19,064 ; number of acres in cultivation, 2,031 ; 
There were planted in strawberries, 304 acres ; in blackberries 
212 acres; in cranberries, 40 acres. In the town were 53,000 
grapevines; 23,906 pear trees; 677 quince, 829 plum, and 
1,350 cherry trees. Number of dwelling houses, 365; school 
houses, 4; churches, 2; mills and factories, 4; whole number of 
buildings, 383. The real estate of the town was valued at 
$596,319, and the personal property at $169,132. 

On the 6th day of June, 1866 there was a grand strawberry 
exhibition in town, and among the exhibitors of big berries, 
were W. F. Bassett, Dr. Bowles, G. W. Pressey, G. Valentine, 
Capt. Burgess and a host of others not now residents of town. 
The most interesting feature of the exhibition was the visit of 
a delegation from the far-famed Farmers' Club of New York. 
Among the visitors were Solon Robinson, then agricultural 
editor of the New York Tribune; P. T. Quinn, of Newark, 
Chas. Downing, of Newburg, N. Y., and a score of other 
horticulturists, besides the railroad officials who accompanied 
them. They were driven about town, and feasted upon 
the fat of the land. Visiting Atlantic Cit3% they returned to 
spend the night in Hammonton, and in the evening a public 
meeting was held, at which the visiting dignitaries made 
speeches to the edification of the Hammontonians. It was a 
sort of a boom for the town, and the affair was elaborately 
reported in the Trifiitne, whose agricultural editor, Mr. Robin- 
son, and editor in chief, Mr. Greeley, were warm friends of 
Hammonton, Vineland and other fruit growing towns in South 
Jersey. 




^|r^^ V**** *^i^l!g. 



STORE OF P. S. TILTON & SON. 




STOKE OF S. E. lUiOWN cV CO. 




RESIDENCE OF D. COLWELL. 




RESIDENCE OF P. H. JACOBS. 



History of Hammonton. It 

Returning to the matter of early settlers, it may be men- 
tioned that during the first 3'ear, (1857) John North, Peter 
Moran and Joseph Biddle purchased land, as did William 
Gibbon, James and Thomas Trafford, John Lawrence, Henry 
S. and Thos. Wetherbee, Henry L. Ferris, who planted the 
first pear orchard, S. F. Twomey, S. C. Miller, Charles Hig- 
ginson, M. M. Merrill, E. T. McKean, for several years town 
clerk, W. Davidson, Henr}^ Tucker, John W. Champion, and 
Lewis Downs. Benjamin Henshaw came in the fall of 1857^ 
and lacks only a few days of contesting with Capt. Somerby^ 
the honor of being the first settler. 

Among the arrivals in 1858, were Ezra and Orin Packard,, 
Sidney Mood}-, George Taylor, and William Black, the store- 
keeper. There also came during that year, Thomas Pas- 
coe, Eri Wells, E, R. Jenkins, John Buckley, Thomas Tib- 
betts and Robert Putnam, who after having lived in Virginia, 
for a number of years, has returned to Hammonton. Mr, 
Putnam erected the house on Pine road now occupied by Mr, 
Tudor. H. N. Parkhurst, father of L. H. and Merrill, was 
one of the fifty-eighters. He built part of the house and 
cleared some of the land of the present L. H. Parkhurst farm. 
This farm and that of Merrill's adjoining it, are among the 
best in town. F. Priestly, J. Budd, C. A. Mintzer, E, A. 
Heston, Henry T. Pressey and C. E. Roberts, came here the 
same year. Andrew Elvins, lather of Williaaa A. and George 
arrived in 1858, and erected the store, corner of Main and 
Bellevue. In it was Elvins' Hall, where the public meetings 
of the early days were held. George, the present store keeper^ 
and ex-assemblyman and ex-post-master, and William A, one 
of our most prosperous farmers, clerked in their father's 
store. Hiram Crowell was one of the fift3'-eighters, as was 
Dr. Joseph H. North. Dr. North bought and cleared what 
is now the Daniel Colwell farm on Fairview avenue. Dr. North 
started what is now Mr. Colwell's large pear orchard, from 
which he shipped this j^ear 300 barrels of pears. The Doctor 
sent all the way to France for some of the trees in this famous 
orchard. Dr. North still resides here, and although an octo- 
generian, his interest in Hammonton is as lively as ever. 
This activity may be shown by stating that within the past 



18 History of Hammonton. 

few years he cleared the land and plante.l a peach orchard of 
4,000 trees. 

In 1859 Mr. Kirkpatrick built the house now owned hy 
Samuel Anderson, the well-known owner and breeder of grade 
Aldernej^s. The same year Rev. Asher Moore, father of Rus- 
sell, of the woolen mill, H. ^V. Loring, Rev. Wm. Passmore, 
Daniel Baker, A. Ellis and Warren T. Pastor made purchases, 
L. Monfort, the Middle road pear grower, was among the 
fift3'-niners. He is the premium pear grower of the town. 
His crop of Bartletts last year (1888) amounted to over 500 
barrels. Lewis Hood, Gr. C. Hooker, S. W. Gilbert and A. 
O. Clark, came this j^ear. Mr. Clark built the block of build- 
ings just below Second street on Bellevue. He now resides 
in Yineland. Undertaker Gerry Valentine, late coroner, and 
for several years a member of the Council, left his Massachu- 
setts home for Hammonton during 1859. 

Among the arrivals in 1860 we have H. A, Andrews, Alon- 
zo Potter, H. G. Newton, William F. Trost, Abel Fairchild, 
Daniel Heller, and P. S, Robbins, T. J. Smith, of the State of 
Maine, and now one of our largest house owners, came this 
year, as d^ct George W. Presse}^, the inventor, who built a 
blacksmith shop on the lot now occupied by C. E. Hall's 
block, corner of Bellevue and Central avenues. 

Most of the earlv settlers mentioned in the foregoing para- 
graphs, or members of their families, are still residents of 
Hammonton. 



CHAPTER IV. 

Hammonton — Its Location, Government, Soil and Climate. 
Hammonton is the North-east town in Atlantic county, 
and is situated about thirty miles East by South from the 
city of Philadelphia, and about equal distance from Atlantic 
City. It has two competing lines of railroad, the Camden & 
Atlantic, which is a part of the Pennsylvania system, and the 
Philadelphia and Atlantic Cit}" Railway, which is operated 
b}' the Philadelphia and Reading Companj'. These lines are 
both well equipped, and the railroad accommodation, whether 
for passenger or freight-traffic is excellent. Besides these 
two railroads connecting Philadelphia with the seacoast, run- 
ning on the northern border of the town is the New Jersey 
Southern Railroad, a direct route from the Delaware bay to 
New York. This is also operated by the Philadelphia and 
Reading and gives the town ample outlet for the products of 
its farms and factories. 

The soil of the town varies. There may be found light sand 
and sandy loam, while the land bordering on the swamps and 
streams is more of an alluvial deposit. No one claims for it 
the depth and natural richness of the lands of the Mississippi 
Yalley, or the Western prairies. But it is susceptible of a 
high state of cultivation, and responds quickly to the care 
and culture of the experienced husbandman. It is wonder- 
fully well adapted to fruit and truck raising, and has charms 
to attract the general farmer, as a survey of the many fine 
farms will prove. 

Considering its nearness to the great centers of population, 
where live the consumers who make the best markets of the 
country, and the consequent small cost of transporting the 
products of the farm to the consumers, with its excellence of 

19 



20 History of Hammonton. 

climate, and it may be claimed that Hammonton has advan- 
tages comparable if not superior to the great West. 

Providence has favored no one localitj* with all the signs 
of bounty, or advantages, social, material and educational, 
biit we claim for our town a full share of all those attractions 
which make life pleasant and labor ])rofitable. 

Idleness, intemperance, and extravagance tend always and 
everywhere to failure if not to want, and the misfortunes of 
trade, speculation and business effort visit at times the best 
of men and the most favored communities, and we claim no 
Utopia where none of these misfortunes enter. But the suc- 
cess which follows earnest effort and honest toil has been, and 
can be achieved here in as great abundance as in an}' locality 
in our favored countr}-. 

In about thirty -nine and one half degrees North latitude, 
Hammonton has a climate as warm, or warmer than Richmond, 
Va., the temperature being modified by the proximity to the 
ocean. Nothing can be more complete in the way of climate 
than the Springs and Falls of South Jersey. That intermedi- 
ate period of freezing and thawing, and universal mud, which 
follows early Autumn and precedes early Spring in more 
northern latitudes, is here unknown. A few days at most 
removes all traces of Winter, and we at once pass from what 
Winter we haA^e, to the time of balmy breezes, opening buds 
and singing birds. Cold weather, yes, of course, we have it,, 
but it does not last long, and the prolonged season of being 
frozen up and snowed in is here unknown. The summer 
heat is tempered by the ocean breezes which fan away that 
oppressive sultryness which belongs to more inland places. 

The climate is conducive to health. People get sick, and 
die here as they do every where else. But all other things 
being equal, and the tendency of our climate is to health. 
Malaria has never been known to originate in this climate, 
and the diseases which prevail are either such as were brought 
here from other localities, or are traceable to flagrant care- 
lessness, or the ])lain work of a hereditary taint. Lying 
within the Isothermal liiie, the region of South Jersey, has 
special claims to consideration as a healthy locality, and 



HlSTCKT OF HAW Mvrr.v, 21 

among all the towns in this locality. ELammonton takes 
tiie lead in the showing of her vital statistics. The last 
Annual Report of the State Board of Health gires the death 
rate of Hanunonton as 14 to the thousand for the last rear. 
This is quite a considerable less than any town appearing 
under a like head. 

The people who settled the town of Hammonton came 
largely from Xew England, which feet appears in the town 
government, which is patterned after the Xew England plan. 

The government of the town is vested in a Town Council, 
composed of six members, three of whom are elected annually. 
It is their business to audit and order paid all bills against 
the town for services rendered. They also have legislative 
powers, and may from time to time pass ordinances for the 
government of the town, and the regulation of its afi&irs. 

The Council for 1S?9, as determined by the last town meet- 
ing, was composed of the following gentlemen: T. B. Drown. 
President, and William Bemshouse. Charles Woodnutt. C. S. 
^ewcomb, L. Beverage and I). ColwelL The other town 
oflBc-ers for 18S8 are as follows: Town Clerk, A. J. Smith: 
Collector. O. E. Hoyt: Assessors. H. J. Monfort. D. Col- 
weU. D. F. Lawson: Chosen Freeholder. M. L. Jackson: 
Constables, Geoige Bemshouse, Charles M. ScuULn: Town 
MaishaL Jesse Fairchild: Justices of the Peace. John Atkin- 
son. Maj. C. yL Jordan: Overseer of Highways. W. H. Bur- 
gess: Overseer of Poor. Georare Bemshouse : Judge of Elee-' 
tion. J. C. Anderson: Inspectors. EL E. Bowles. M. D.. J. T. 
French ; Commissioner of AppeaL George W. Pressey. E. 
R. Sproul. M. L. Jackson : Poxmd Keeper. Alex. Aitfcen. 

There are in the town one hundred and fifty miles of streets 
and roads, so that the overseer has wort to do. and holds a 
very responsiWe position. The appropriation for roads for 
ISS^* was $2.(»00. and considering the amount of surfece over 
which the money has to be spent, and the roads are in good 
eoiiditi<^ The main roads in the &rming district are g^i- 
erally in fine condition, being well graded. There is room, 
however, for improvement in most of the streets and side- 
walks in the village. 



22 History of Hammonton. 

In the town, and ubout a mile from the center, is a fine 
sheet of fresh water, about a mile long. It is formed by dam- 
ming a small stream, and is fed by innumerable springs. It 
affords fine opportunity for boating and bathing in Summer^ 
and for skating in Winter, wLen the weather is cold enough 
to form ice of sufficient thickness. Adjoining the lake is a 
natural groA^e, and twenty acres of land called the park. 
This is the propert}' of the town, and is free of access to all 
residents and visitors, affording in connection with the lake,. 
a fine opportunity for picnics, public gatherings and pleasure 
parties. The town has onl}' recently come into possession of 
the propert}'. When improved it will make an attractive resort. 
Sanitarians and physicians well know the health-giving 
character of the climate of South Jerse}' . Its pine forests, 
help to charge an atmosphere? already remarkabl}' free from 
the germs of disease, with extra health-giving power. In 
Atlantic county the acres of these forest lands are as eight 
to one compared with the cultivated land, and a consequent 
large opportunity for further settlement, without injuriously 
denuding her })ine forests. 

The town has an excellent system of graded schools, with 
a central Grammar and High school, all of which are manned 
by eflScient teachers, who stand high in the ranks of their 
calling. The high school course includes the ordinary Eng- 
lish branches, and the Natural Sciences, History, Algebra 
and Geometr3^ For the current year, the teachers are W. B. 
Matthews, Principal, and the following associate teachers: 
Annie L. Weston, Susie L. Moore, Nellie D. Fogg, Grace U. 
North, Clara E. Cavileer, Carrie L. Carhart, Minnie Newcomb 
Sara Crowell. 

At the last school meeting held in March of this year, an ad- 
dition was ordered to one of the buildings, to accommodate 
another school, and provide for the town's increasing school 
population, so that next year there will be an addition of one 
to the list of school teachers. 

P. H. Jacobs, S. E. Brown, and C. S. Newcomb are tlie 
school board, to whom the voters assigned the work of di- 
rectino; the schools. 



History of Hammonton. 23 

By provisions of tlie town Charter, the Council has control 
of the streets and sidewalks, and of the moral and material 
interests of the town, and by ordinances regulates, prohibits 
or licenses public games, and entertainments, provides for 
lighting the streets, defines nuisances, and fixes the punish- 
ment for the same. The question involved in the sale of in- 
toxicating liquors, is determined by the Council, instead of 
being referred to the Court of Common Pleas, as in the ordi- 
nary townships of the State. The sale of intoxicating liquor 
in any shape or form, except for mechanical or medical pur- 
poses, is prohibited in Hammonton by town ordinances, and 
the law is as well enforced as most of the statutes relating 
to crimes and misdemeanors. 

The sentiment in the town against license is very strong^ 
and an unlooked for change will have to come to the people 
of the town if Hammonton ever has a licensed hotel, saloon 
or groggery for the sale of intoxicants. The no license ex- 
periment has proved itself thoroughly successful, and an im- 
portant factor in developing the moral and material prosper- 
ity of the town. As a policy, by making it easy to do right, 
and hard to do wrong, it has saved the young men of Ham- 
monton to themselves, their families and their friends, in- 
stead of tempting them to the waj^ which leads down to death, 
through the legall}' and publicly endorsed drinking saloon. 



CHAPTER Y. 

Hammontonton Churches and Religious Societies, their 
History, Growth and Development. 

baptist. 
The Baptist denomination early occupied and cultivated 
the spiritual vineyard in Hammonton. Meetings for public 
worship were first held in private houses, and in 1859 the 
•church organization was formed. For a time meetings were 
iheld in the hall over Elvins' store. In 1862 the in'ant church 
called to the pastorate Rev. Thomas Davis, and under the 
ministrations of this worthy shei)herd the flock grew and 
multiplied, and reached the point where the building of a 
church edifice was ventured. The building was located on 
Bellevue avenue, just above the Methodist parsonage. Aug- 
ast 16th, 1863, the new house was first opened for public ser- 
vice. About this time Rev. Dr. Kempton, a successful and 
eloquent preacher from Philadelphia, settled in Hammonton, 
on account of the health of his family. His services were 
solicited, and freely given. He served the church faithfull}-, 
■without fee or reward, for several years. Under the pastor- 
ate of Dr. Kempton, the church grew and prospered. Fail- 
ing health compelled the doctor to give up his laboi of love 
in Hammonton, and the work passed into other hands. In 
January, 1887, Rev. C. M. Ogdcn, the present pastor, was 
•called to minister to the Baptist church and people. He 
is a native of Cumberland count}', this State. In 1885 the 
house of worship was moved from its former site to the 
present location corner of Third and Vine streets. Since 
then the meinl)ership has nearly doubled. The church main- 
tains a flourishing Sunday School, of which Moses Stockwell 

24 



History of Hammonton. 25 

is the Superintendent. It does its full share of missionar}-, 
benevolent and church work. 

CATHOLIC. 

The oldest historic church was the last to have a name and 
habitation in town. Catholic services were first held in Ham- 
monton in 1881, in the house of the late Lawrence W. Cog- 
ley , Rev. Joseph Esser, D. D., of Egg Harbor City, offlcating. 
Attendance rapidly increasing, services were held in what is 
now Black's Hall. 

The inconveniences of this arrangement were so many and 
so great, that pastor and people were constrained to make an 
earnest effort to build a place of worship, A handsome lot, 
of nearly an acre, on Third street was presented by Judge 
Barnes, and with the consent of the Bishop the work of 
building a church was begun. The foundation of a stone 
church was begun in 1884, by George Bowers and his son, 
Louis, who donated their labor. Owing to the untimely 
death of Father Esser, the woi*k was temporarily- suspended 
until the Summer of 188G, when the contract to complete the 
church was given to William Bernshouse, by Rev. A. Van 
Kiel, the successor of Father Esser. In November of die 
same 3'ear, the corner stone, the gift of Mr. Bernshouse, was 
laid, and the first Mass celebrated in the new church, St. 
Joseph's, on Passion Sunday, during the Lenten season of 
1887. The church was substantially aided by additional 
gifts from Mr. Bernshouse, Judge Barnes, and donations from 
George Elvins, C. F. Osgood, and others. Henry Schulz, an 
artist of Hammonton, formerly of Germany, lately presented 
the church with fourteen large pictures, entitled the "Way of 
the Cross," and painted 113' him from paintings by Klein, of 
Austria. 

EPISCOPAL. 

In the summer of 1858, Bishop Odenheimer was stopping 
at the lake, and the matter of a Protestant FJpiscopal Church 
was there talked for the first time, and a lot on Central ave- 
nue for a church was donated by Messrs B3-rnes and Landis, 
but the fffatter there rested, nothing practical coming from it. 
The present St. Marks parish was organized January 16th, 



26 History of Hammonton. 

1870, by Rev. William Stewart, of King's College, Windsor, 
Nova Scotia. The first ofllcers were: George Andrews, Sen- 
ior Warden, Harmon A. Tremper, Junior Warden, and the 
following vestrymen: William Hartshorn, George Johnson, 
H. S. Seeley, H. L. Poyer and R. J. Byrnes. The corner 
stone of the church was laid October 23rd, 1870, by Bishop 
Odenheimer, and the same day he administered the rite of 
confirmation for the first time in the parish, five persons 
being confirmed. Rev. William Passmore donated the land 
upon which the church is located, and was helpful in many 
ways in organizing and carrying on the work of the parish. 
The first service was held in the new building May 21st, 1871, 
Rev. W. V. Beavers, of Philadelphia, officiating. The church 
had a number of diflTerent pastors after the death of Mr, 
Stewart in 1871, and in 1874 the parish was placed under the 
charge of the Missionary Convention of Burlington. Rev. 
George McClellan Fisk was made rector of the parish and 
served until 1876. During his incumbency the church was 
admitted to the Convocation of the Diocese of New Jersey, 
and H. A. Tremper and J. E. Watkis were the first lay depu- 
ties rei)resenting the parish in convention. The rectors fol- 
lowing Mr. Fisk, were Rev. Thomas B. Gordon, Rev. J. Gib- 
bons Gantt, Rev. 0. S. Prescott, Rev. G. R. Underbill, who 
came in September, 1881 and was succeeded by Rev. Lewis 
K, Lewis and he in turn by Rev. William C. Starr. In Oc- 
tober, 1885 he resigned, and in Januar}^, 1887, Rev. G. R. Un- 
derhill, the present rector was recalled. The parish has a 
Sunday School and an active Ladies' Aid Society. The par- 
ish is financially and spiritually prosperous, and during the 
past year has built and completed a handsome new rectory at 
a cost of about $2,000. 

METHODIST. 

The followers of Wesley were the first to perfect a religious 
organization in Hammonton. As early as 1857, Rev. Dr. 
Johnson, then preaching at Waterford and Winslow, began 
preaching in the school house at Old Hammonton, at the lake, 
and in the Spring of 1858, Rev. A. Palmer organized a class 
composed of the following persons : Henry L. Ferris, Har- 



History of Hammonton. 27 

riet L. Ferris, Thomas Trnfford, Hannah Trafford, George 
Elvins, Annie Elvins, Charles E. Roberts, James Trafford, 
George Henry and a few others. The infant society was at- 
tached to the Winslow and Waterford Circuit, and the 
preacher came every other Sunday afternoon. Meetings 
were held in Elvins' Hall. George Elvins was the society's 
first licensed exhorter. The church building was not erected 
until 1866, and only the first floor was furnished, and the 
audience-room was completed in 1879. In 1885 the parson- 
age was built, and furnished, mostly by the Ladies' Aid So- 
ciety. The church has been blest temporally in various ways, 
and spiritually in three marked revivals. One in 1868-9, one 
in 1878-9, and one in 1885-6. In these revivals about one 
hundred and thirty persons were added to the church mem- 
bership. The following pastors have ministered to the 
church since its organization: Revs. Dr. Johnson, A. Palmer, 
C. H. Kirkbride, J. H. Stockton, A. Getmire, J. B. Turpin, 
A. Owen, A. R. Jones, H. Warner, J. White, M. Depuy, W. 
S. McCowan, S. G. Hiler, J. Joraloman, E. Post, J. A. Jones, 
P. Provost, J. F. Morrill, E. C. Hults, L. M. Atkinson, H. J. 
Zelley, and C. S. Lawrence, the present pastor. Attached to 
the church is a large Sunday School, of which W. R. Tilton 
is Superintendent. 

PRESBYTERIAN. 

Presbyterianism was first established in Hammonton as a 
local mission station, but as early as 1861 a church was or- 
ganized by Rev. F, R. Brace, the present Superintendent of 
Camden county, assisted by Rev. Allen H. Brown, the 
efficient missionary of the West Jersey Presbytery. The in- 
fant church started out with but nine members, Alonzo Pot- 
ter, and Morris Sutherland were the first elders chosen. 
Services were held in what is now Black's Hall, and after the 
erection of the Baptist church the Presb3'terians held one 
service each Sabbath in that building, until 1866 when the 
church edifice was completed. The new church was built on 
a lot adjoining the present residence of D. L. Potter, and 
when the church moved into the new house, it had a member- 
ship of thirty-four souls. In 1878 the building was moved 
to its present location. Many of the members of this church 



28 History of Hammonton. | 

were of Congregational fellowship before they came to Ham- j 
monton, and the church has quite a cosmopolitan character • 
in a small way. The following is the list of ministers who ' 
have served the church since its organization: F. II. Brace 1 
from 1861 to 1867; D.W. Pratt from 1867 to 1871; F. G. [ 
Austin, from September 1871 to September 1872; William i 
Baldwin from '74 to '75; E. M. Kellogg from '75 to '79; A. S. ' 
Yaughan from '79 to 81; E. E. Rogers from '81 to '84; M. J. '■ 
Mewhinne}^ from '84 to '86, The present pastor is Rev. H, 
R. Rundall, who was installed in 1886. The church is pros- ! 
perous, and has a large Sunday School, of which Z. U. Mat- i 

thews is Superintendent. j 

I 

SPIRITUALISTS. ' 

As early as 1858, the believers in the "Harmonial Philoso- 
phy" held meetings iu Hammonton, most of the time the res- 
idence of J. B. Lake, on Bellevue Avenue, being the place ■ 
where the believers and investigators congregated. Meetings I 
were subsequently' held, for the purpose of organization, in i 
what is now known as the Ellis or laundry building, then 
owned by Dr. Ira Nevins. The organization was finally per- ' 
fected by electing H. N. Parkhurst, president of the Society, ; 
with other offices to perfect the organization. In August, j 
1886, the Society [was incorported under the laws of the State, ; 
and officers elected as follows: H. N. Parkhurst, President; ; 
J. 0. Ransom, Vice President; Russell Ellis, Secretar3^ The 
society was named the Progressive Spiritualist Association. 
The meetings becoming too large for the hall, it was decided 
in 1867 to erect a building for the use of the Association, and 
in accordance therewith Union Hall was built, and dedicated i 
on Thanksgiving day of that year. Meetings are held every j 
Sunday, with speaking either by home talent or traveling j 
lecturers and mediums. The hall is about the only place of j 
public entertainment in the place, and is held in almost night- 1 
ly requisition for that purpose. Some of the most highly 
respected citizens of the town are members of the Associa- j 
tion. The present president of the Society' is Merrill Park- \ 
hurst. 



History of Hammonton. 29 

universalist. 
Liberal Christianity has a foothold in Hammonton in the 
TJniversalist and Unitarian Society. Among the early set- 
tlers of the town was Rev. Asher Moore, a TJniversalist 
preacher, who began as early as 1858 to preach the doctrines 
of his faith in the school house at Old Hammonton. Nothing 
was done towards organization until some years later, when 
in 1864 the Universalist Social Circle was organized, the first 
meeting being at the house of Mrs. H. T. Pressey, December 
1st, of that 3'ear. The object of the Circle was the equip- 
ment of the Sunday School. Meetings for preaching were 
held at various times and places, and in 1873 the Social Cir- 
cle took shares in the Hammonton Building and Loan Asso- 
ciation, with the view of securing a fund with which to build 
a church. In 186*1 the Society purchased the lot upon which 
the church now stands, and the friends patiently bided the 
time when a church building should adorn their lot. In 1876 
Rev. Moses Ballou, well known and much beloved wherever 
the Universalist name was spoken, was engaged to preach 
here, being then a resident of Atco. He came eveiy two 
weeks, and services were held in Union Hall. The preaching 
of "Father "Ballou cemmented the hearts of theliberal people, 
and opened their hands, for the building of the church edifice 
which was completed and dedicated in 1887. It is the hand- 
somest church edifice in the town. Mr. Ballou preached here 
until 1878, when failing health compelled him to resign. Rev. 
Asher Moore, the present pastor, came to the church in 1885. 
Although of the same name as the first pastor, we believe the 
two advocates of Universal salvation were not relatives. Mr. 
Moore is a venerable preacher now in his eightieth year, who 
will soon complete a half century of service as a preacher of 
the liberal gospel. 



CHAPTER YI. 

Co-operation in Hammonton — The Fruit Growers' Union — 
Fruit Growers' Association — Building and Loan As- 
sociations — People's Bank. 

It is less than half a centiuy ago since the question of co- 
operation took such a distinct shape from the mooted one of 
communism as to receive practical attention. Communism 
seeks the surrender of the idea of individual gain and pros- 
perity for the good of the mass, while co-operation aims at 
the combination of strength and effort, in order that greater 
benefit ma^^ come to the individual. This form of co-opera- 
tion hns reached a higher grade of success in England and on 
the continent of Europe than in this country. Across the 
water the co-operative effort has three forms of expression, 
known as societies of consumption, societies of distribution 
and societies of credit. The first named are stores, carried 
on as a means of distributing goods to the members, of guar- 
anteed quality, at a uniform price, and dividing the profits 
among the patrons and share holders. Tlie cooperative 
stores have reached a high state of perfection in England; 
and it is estimated that nearly every town in the United 
Kingdom has its store of this kind. The societies of distri- 
bution are combinations of craftsmen for the manufacture and 
marketing of the products of their skill. These societies are 
more numerous and successful in France than any where 
else. The societies of credit are simply co-operative banks, 
and the centre of their operations is Germany. 

In this countiy the co-operative store has been a success 
rather as an exception than a rule. These stores have been 
started in many towns, to flourish for a brief season and then 
decay. The causes of the failures have generally been two 

30 



History of Hammonton. 31 

fold: first the business incapacit}^ of the managers, or their 
dishonest3^, much more often the former than the hatter. The 
political method has prevailed to a large extent in selecting 
managers. Favoritism has characterised the selection, men 
being chosen who were "popular," rather than for their man- 
aging qualities. Our building and loan associations answer 
to the European societies of credit, and are the most success- 
ful form of co-operation in this countr}^, those in Philadelphia 
alone representing a capital of $100,000,000. 

Some of the most successful co-operrtive societies in this 
country, ma}' be found in Hammonton. The first on the list 

is the 

Fruit Growers' Union, 

first organized in 1867 as a society for distribution. Its pur- 
pose was to combine the fruit growers of the town into an 
organization for mutual helpfulness, and to market the farm 
products of its members at the least possible cost, receiving 
for the same the greatest possible return. B}^ thus uniting, 
it was found that rebates were secured on freight rates, and 
percentages from the commission merchants. From these 
items the small expenses incident to running the society were 
paid. At the end of the first year, a dividend of $261.67 was 
paid after meeting all obligations; the second year, there was 
a profit of $200, and this sum has annually been increasing. 
In 1888 the amount saved to the members was a little over- 
$9,000. 

In 1884, the society took a new departure, was incorporated 
under t^ie laws of the State, and became also a society of con- 
sumption, by engaging in the store business, to the extent of 
handling fertilizers and other necessary articles used by the 
farmers. But thisliranch of the business grew on the socie- 
ty's hands, and soon a general store Avas opened. It now 
owns three acres of land, with store building and other struc- 
tures valued at over $7,000. Last year the cash sales 
amounted to $81,000, the net profit on which was $5,000. Its 
goods in stock are inventoried at $15,000. There is no debt 
on any of its real estate, and the society's net assets over all 
liabilities, are $26,165. A dividend of six pej- cent, is paid to 
stockholders, and a dividend of five per cent, on store pur- 



32 History of Hammonton. 

chases is paid all members, and hnlf that amount to non-mem- 
bers. The expenses of conducting the business of the society 
are only 4.8 per cent, on the business, or less than one half of 
that of the next best co-operative concern in the United 
States. The Secretary of the society, and the efficient man- 
ager of the store business, is Z. TJ. Matthews, and the Ship- 
ping Agent, Charles Woodnutt. The other officers are as 
follows: President, E. K. Spoul; Directors, L. H. Parkhurst, 
Charles Albright, Thomas Rogers, Charles Woodnutt, M. 
Parkhurst, H. J. Monfort, W. F. Trost, Z. U. Matthews. 
Auditors, A. J. Smith, D. Colwell, L. Monfort. 
Fruit Growers' Association. 

In 1880 a number of the members of the Fruit Growers' 
Union withdrew, and organized the Fruit Growers' Assso- 
ciation, which has steadily grown in membership and busi- 
ness transactions. The Association gives all of its attention 
and energies to the shipment and marketing of the products 
of its members, and claims to have secured a better service 
and more satisfactory returns for shippers, than any other 
society. Pretty much every farmer in town belongs to either 
the Union or Association, so that there is scarcely an individ- 
ual shipper of fruit in the whole place; all the farmers 
seeking the strength which comes from a union of effort in 
the marketing of their crops. 

The Association has been industrious in seeking and adopt- 
ing improved methods for marketing fruit. They claim to 
have first demonstrated the success of using refrigerator cars 
for shipping berries to distant points. During the eight years 
it has been in business, the losses sustained by members 
through commission merchants will not exceed ten dollars. 
John Scullin is the Association's agent, and the following 
is its list of officers : President, W. A. Elvins; Vice Pres- 
ident, Hon. Geo. Elvins; Treasurer, J. W. Lysinger; Sec- 
retary, B. Crawley; Asst. Secretary, W. H. Doucet. Direc- 
tors — D. L. Potter, Hon. Geo. Elvins, Saml. Anderson, Har- 
vey Beach, R. H. Anderson, Levi G. Horn, Chas. E. Roberts, 
Chas. Wescoat, Saml. L. Forman, J. W. Butterton, E. Cor- 
dery, Wm. Ehrke. 




FRUIT GROWER'S UNION STORE. 




C. E. HALL'S BLOCK. 




ELA3I STOCKVVELL'S STOKE. 




GEO. ELVIN'S STORE. 



History of Hammonton. 33 

One of the means of growth in Hammonton, and especially 
in the line of building, is its two building and loan associa- 
tions. In affording the man of small means with the oppor- 
tunit}^ of pajdng for a house in monthly installments, as he 
pays rent, they afford a healthy stimulus to the workingman 
to become a householder, and the owner of his own home. 
Last year the new buildings erected in Hammonton aggre- 
gated fully $50,000 in value, and they were many of them 
erected through the aid offered by these associations. 
Hammonton Loan and Building Association 
was orgar.ized in 18Y1, R. J. Byrnes being the first President 
and A. J. Smith the first Secretary. During the past 3'ear its 
"long loans" amounted to $40,098, and its "short loans" to 
$11,647. It has the best record of any like association in the 
State for the short time in which it has paid off its shares. 
The present officers of the association are R. J. Byrnes, Pres- 
ident; Gr. F. Saxton, Treasurer; W. R. Tilton, Secretaiy. Di- 
rectors, T. J. Smith, A. J. Smith, D. C. Herbert, S. E. Brown, 
Albert Adams, G. Yalentine, W. Bernshouse, T. B. Drown, 
D. S. Cunningham. 

Workingmen's^ Loan and Building Association 
organized January 3rd, 1877, has had a ver}' prosperous ca- 
reer. Dr. Edward North was the first President, and A. C. 
Wetherbee the first Secretary. Its present number of shares 
is 2,213, with a par value of $128,285. Its loans the past j-ear 
amounted to $39,657. The expenses of the Association have 
been conducted at the small cost of one per cent, to the mem- 
bers, and not a dollar has been lost, a loan compromised or 
a mortgage foreclosed. They sell members $200 on each 
share of stock, no bonus being required. The present offi- 
cers are, President, M. L. Jackson; Secretary, J. C. Anderson; 
Treasurer, William Black. Directors, George Elvins, C. F. 
Osgood, D. M. Ballard, J. T. French, D. F. Lawson, A. W. 
Cochran. 

The People's Bank. 

This is one of the most helpful institutions to the business 
interests of the place in town. The credit of originating the 



34 History of Hammonton. 

bright idea which resulted in its establishment, belongs to 
Edward Whiffen, of the firm of Whiffen Bros. & Co., shoe 
manufactures. With the co-operation of M. L. Jackson, John 
C- Anderson, B. Crawley, W. A. Miller and others, Mr. Whif- 
fen succeeded in obtaining a charter, and an organization was 
perfected on March 12th, 1887. The capital stock is $50,000, 
of which $20,000 are paid. It is a bank of deposit and dis- 
count, and not of issue, but pays a dividend to stock holders 
equal to National Banks of like class. It has one of the most 
approved burglar and fire proof safes, with time lock, and is 
otherwise provided Avith the regulations and appurtenances 
which insure safetj' to depositors. The bank has correspon- 
dents in New York and Pliiladelphia, and the accommoda- 
tions which it is able to grant are equal to those offered by any 
bank of like standing in the countr3\ Since its organization 
it has discounted about 2,000 notes. The officers of the bank 
are, President, R. J. Byrnes; Vice President, M. L. Jackson; 
Cashier, W. R. Tilton. Directors — R. J. Byrnes, M. L. Jack- 
sou, Geo. Elvins, E. Stockwell, Z. U. Matthews, D. Colwell, 
Edw. Whiffen, J. C. Browning, A. J. Smith, C. F. Osgood, 
D. L. Potter, G. P. Saxton and P. S. Tilton. 



CHAPTER YII. 

The Secret and Civic Societies of the Toavn, their His- 
tory, Growth and Officers. 

MASONS. 

The Masonic order, the oldest of the secret societies, and 
the one which dates its origin back to the daj-s of Solomon, 
was esti^ Wished in Hammontoa fourteen years ago. Among 
the old Masons who had taken the mystic rites before coming 
to Hammonton, were E. D. Redman, Dr. H. E. Bowles, C. P. 
Hill, S. Draper, I. W. Warner, C. P. Wescoat, J. H. Jones, 
Geo. W. Rich, and Orrin Packard. These became the char- 
ter members of the M. B. Taylor Lodge, which Avas instituted 
Eebruarj- 19th, 1875. The growth of the lodge has been 
healthy, and its condition is satisfactory in every way. It 
numbers about fort}'' members, most of our business men 
having been initiated into its mysteries. The communica- 
tions are on the second and fourth Friday nights of each 
month. The -following are the principal "officers : W. M., 
Charles Woodnutt ; S. W., Dr. J. A. Waas ; J. W., Wm. 
Haney ; S. D!, A. W. Cochran; J. D., C. M. Cook; Sec, H. 
E. Bowles; Treas., H. Poyer, 

Odd Fellows. 
Winslow Lodge, I. 0. 0. F., is one of the oldest lodges in 
the State, and was oi'ganized in the village <5f Winslow, in 
1846. Since the decline of that glass manufacturing town, 
the active members of the lodge being mostly Hammonton- 
ians, it was moved to this place last Fall. It is one of the 
richest lodges in Xew Jersey, having about $4,000 in its 
treasury, and has paid out in benefits since its organization 
the magnificent sum of $20,000. They have the most commo- 
dious lodge room in town, and are in a very flourishing cou- 

35 



36 History of Hammonton. 

dition. The officers for the current term are as follows : N. 
G., H. P. Hill ; y. G., W. fl. Bernshouse ; Sec, Geo. King ; 
Treas., M. L. Jackson. 

Red Men. 
■ Shaumunkin Tribe, No. 87, Improved Order of Red Men, 
was established Oct. 26, 1886, a team from Pequod Tribe of 
Atlantic City performing the ceremonies. The order has 
grown ver}^ rapidly, the membership numbering considerably 
over one hundred. Their hall was neatly furnished at a cost 
of $250, and they have a snug sum at interest, besides their 
well filled wampum belt. Connected with the tribe, is a 
Chieftain's League, the highest degree of the Red Men's or- 
der. The following are the present officers : Prophet, Dr. 
T. G. Bieling; Sachem, W. F. Maloney; Sr. Sagamore, J. 
Lear; Chief of Records, George Potter, Asst. Chief of Rec- 
ords, H. P. Blythe; Keeper of Wampum, W. H. Burgess. 
The Grand Army Post. 
A Post of the G. A. R. was organized in Hammonton in 
1868, but its life was short, and in about a year it had ceased 
to exist. D. A. Russell Post, No. 68, was organized May 8th 
1882, and has had a prosperous existence. Its first officers 
were, L. H. Parkhurst, Com.; C. F. Osgood, Senior Yice 
Com.; Jason St. John, Jr. Vice Com.; H. J. Monfort, Officer 
of the Day ; B. F. Henshaw, Officer of the Guard; 0. E. Moore 
Quartermaster; Dr. H. E. Bowles, Surgeon; 0. E. Ho3't, 
Chaplain; William Rutherford, Adjutant. During its exis- 
tence over a hundred members have been mustered in, and 
it now has about half a hundred members in good standing. 
But four deaths have occurred since the Post was established, 
and one of them being Gen. Herman Biggs, who died from 
wounds received in the service. Much has been done in the 
way of furnishing relief to needy and disabled comrades. 
The present officers are: Com., Maj. C. M. Jordan; S. V. 
Com., E. L. Cauffman; Jr. Y. Com., T. B. Drown; Adjutant, 
P. H. Jacobs; Surgeon, Dr. H. E. Bowles; Chaplain, W. H. 
Bradbury; Officer of the Day, H. J. Monfort; Officer of the 
Guard, George Bernshouse; Quartermaster, J. Atkinson; 0. 
G., W. Jones; I. G.,J. Bakeley. 



History of Hammonton. 37 

Women's Christian Temperance Union. 

A local Union of this most efficient temperance organiza- 
tion now doing work in this country, was organized in Ham- 
monton, the sixteenth day of last October. There was a 
large attendance of the ladies of the town, and a commendable 
interest was manifested, A delegation from the Atlantic 
City Union assisted in the organization, and officers were 
elected as follows : President, Mrs. H. R. Randall; Corres- 
ponding Secretary, Mrs. J. C. Browning; Recording Secre- 
tary, Miss Minnie Newcomb; Treasurer, Mrs. C. S. Lawrence, 
and one Yice President from each church and religious or- 
ganization in town. The Union meets every two weeks, and 
already exercises a wholesome influence upon the public sen- 
timent of the town. In connection with the Union is a Lo}^- 
al Temperance Legion, of which Mrs. I. Y. Allender is super- 
intendent. About one hundred and fifty boys and girls are 
enrolled as members, and have taken the pledge to abstain 
from profanity and the use of tobacco and intoxicants. 

Iron Hall. 

Local Branch, Xo. 221, was instituted Feb. 27, 1885, with 
fifteen charter members. The officers Avere: Trustees, Dr. E. 
North, M. L. Jackson, and William Haney. Other officers : 
Past Chief Justice, John Scullin; Chief Justice, Dr. E. 
North; Yice Justice, M. L. Jackson; Accountant, J, R. Ma- 
loney; Treasurer, J. T. French. Since its organization it 
has had 114 assessments, and paid in sick benefits $2,325. 
The present number of members is forty-five. The present 
officers: Past Chief Justice, H. L. Irons; Chief Justice, John 
Walther; Yice Justice, M. L. Jackson ; Accountant, A. B. 
Davis; Cashier, J. T. French. Has a reserve fund in the 
Local Branch of $790.84. Ladies Sisterhood Branch, No^ 
669, was organized Feb. 20, 1888. Officers: Past Chief Jus- 
tice, Mrs. Geo. Potter; Chief Jiistice, Mrs. L. Beverage; Yice 
Justice, Mrs. W. A. Hood; Accountant, Mrs. E. L. Whitmore; 
Cashier, Mrs. J. T. French. 

Sons of Yeterans. 

Gen. D. A. Russell Camp, No. 25, was established April 25, 
1888, with W. Cunningham, Captain; F. T. Drake, First Lieu- 



38 History of Hammonton. 

tenant, and AV. St. John, Second Lieutenant. The present 
officers are: Captain, F. T. Drake; First Lieutenant, W, St. 
John; Second Lieutenant, Cliarles Parkhurst. The camp 
has twent^-tliree members. A Sons of Veterans' Cornet 
Band was organized in December, 1888. It numbers sixteen 
pieces. Band Master, W. Cunningham. 
Knights of Labor. 

The AVorkingmen's Beneficial Association of the Knights 
of Labor, No. 1480, was organized in Hammonton, on the 
17th of March, 1880, with J. S. Thaj-er as Master Workman. 
The Society pajs funeral and sick benefits, and now has 130 
members in good standing. This order has done good work 
in inculcating temperance ideas, and habits of economy and 
thrift, and the result is that many of the members own their 
own houses. It has exercised a conciliatory influence, and 
has been the means of preventing a number of strikes. 
Hammonton Volunteer Fire Company. 

The Town has an organized fire company composed of a 
goodl}" number of prominent citizens of the town. It has 
about fift}^ members. The company has a two stoiy building, 
with a hall on the second floor. They also have a fire engine, 
a hook and ladder truck, and a reasonable quantity of hose. 
The water supply is from cisterns. The officers are as fol- 
ows: President, Wra. Bernshouse. Trustees, J. W. Myers, 
J. M. Austin, W. DePuy. Marshal, H. P. Blythe; Foreman, 
George King; Assistant Foreman, Frank Thomas. 
Sons of Temperance. 

Atlantic Division No. 18, was first organized July 7, 1862. 
Since that time it has been disbanded and reorganized 
a number of times, repeatedly rising, PhcBuix-like, from its 
ashes. D. L. Potter and Russell Moore have been the bul- 
warks of the Division in sunshine and in storm. The pres- 
ent officers are : W. P.. Samaria Bernshouse; W. A., Mamie 
Wood; R. S., N. D. Page; A. R. S., Annie Herbert; F. S., 
George Bassett; Treasurer, R. Moore; Chaplain, Mrs. Hines; 
Conductor, Maude Jacobs; A. Con., Hannah Mick; I, S., 
Hattie Smith; 0. S. Mrs. D. L. Potter. 



CHAPTER YTII. 

Farmers. Business and Professional Men and other Prom- 
inent Citizens of Hammonton. 
Richard J. Byrnes 
was born in Pennsylvania in 1830, his ancestors being old 
time residents of the city of Brotherlj^ Love, His step-father, 
whose name he bears, was an Irish gentleman, who was in the 
employ of Stephen Girard for many years, and assisted in 
surveying the grounds now occupied by the college which 
bears tlie name of Philadelphia's great merchant prince and 
philanthropist. When ten years of age Richard went to 
work in Merriew and Thompson's printing office in Carter's 
Allej^ where the Pennsyliania Freemav^ an abolition paper 
edited by the poet John G. Whittier, was printed. A year 
in the printing office, and the boy was sent to a private school 
the idea being to fit him for orders in the church. This plan 
was not carried out, and young Byrnes graduated from the 
Central High School, and subsequentl}' entered the law office 
of C. O. Robinson. After the death of Mr. Robinson, he 
served two years with the silk importing house of Davis & 
Thatcher, and then secured a position in the Mechanics' 
Bank. He was the youngest bank clerk in the city, but his 
promotions were rapid, until he occupied various responsible 
positions about the institution. Having spare time on his 
hands he engaged in stock and real estate ventures, and was 
successful. In his youth Judge Bj-rnes was quite an athlete, 
and as a member of the Schuylkill Barge. Club rowed in a 
number of winning races. He met with Chas. K. Landis in 
1854, and in 1859 left the bank to enter the real estate and 
brokerage business, and formed a partnership with Mr. Lan- 
dis. At the breaking out of the war he assisted in forming a 
coiQpany of cavalr}', which he intended to join,, had not his 

39 



40 



History of Hammonton. 



interests in Hammonton prevented. Judge Byrnes is one of 
the Lay Judges of tlie Court of Common Pleas of Atlantic 
County, a position to which he has been three times success- 
ively reappointed. He is connected with various enterprises 
in Hammonton, as will be seen by consulting the pages of 
this history. 




.-»^' 



George W. Pressey. 
Mr. Pressey is a native of the State of Maine, and was born 
in Waterville, in 1825. His father was a carriage manufac- 
turer, and by the time the 3'oung man was eighteen, he had 
learned carriage building in all its branches. He earlj^ gave 
signs of an inventive genius, man}- useful tools having been 
invented by him. He invented the first apple paring ma- 
chine, and a carriage spring, known as "Pi'essey and Far- 
num's lever spring," a wagon attachment which in its day 
was deservedl}' popular. Mr. Pressey came to Hammonton 
in 1860. In 1867 he invented the "Pioneer Stump Puller," 
which had a wide use all over the United States. Other in- 
ventions which followed were the "Pressey Folding Umbrel- 
la," a ventilating stove, and a snath fastener for scythes. But 



History of Hammonton. 41 

the inventions whieli have made him best known are the 
American Star Bicycle, and his incubators and brooders for 
the artificial hatchino- and raisins: of chickens. The Ham- 
monton Incubator and the Pressey Brooder have extensive 
sale and use among poultry men. Mr. Pressey, and 
his daughters Misses Emma and Anna, are extensively en- 
gaged in raising chickens, and have reduced the business to 
a science. They raised and marketed last year about five 
thousand. 

John Murdoch, 
the shoe manufacturer and dealer, is a native of Scotland, and 
was bern "on the banks of Ayr," Dec. 31, 1839. His parents 
came to this country in 1842; they lived at Bussleton, the 
suburb of Philadelphia, for a year, when they settled at Wey- 
mouth in this county. There young Murdoch lived until 
1857, working in a sawmill. Subsequently he worked on a 
farm at May's Landing, and then learned the trade of a 
shoemaker. He followed various callings until 1872, when 
he settled in Elwood, working at his trade. Mr. Murdoch 
came to Hammonton in 1874, and worked for Elvins and 
Darling in the old Main road factory. After that he worked 
for Rogers and then for Osgood & Co., and in 1884 began 
business for himself His business has steadily increased 
both in the store and manufacturing departments, and he 
rejoices in a reasonable prosperit3^ 

GrEORGE ElVINS. 

Came to Hammonton from Philadelphia in the fall of 1858. 
The store building, Main road and Bellevue was erected, and 
the business carried on' under the name, A. Elvins & Sons. 
After a few years the father withdrew from the business, and 
the store was carried on by P^lvins Brothers. William con- 
tinued in the firm but a short time when he withdrew, and 
engaged in business in Philadelphia. George then succeeded 
to the business, which he has carried on ever since. He was 
a member of the Legislature of 1881, and postmaster most 
of the time, when not in the Legislature, during the Repub- 
lican party's control of the government. Mr. Elvins is one of 



History op Hammonton. 42 

our most successful business men. He is a prominent mem- 
ber of the M. E. Church. 

M. L. Jackson. 

The subject of this sketcla was born in Hartland, Somer- 
sett count}', Maine, Sept. 25, 1846. In the spring of 1868 he 
came to Hammonton, and the first work he did in town was 
to swing a grub hoe, turfing the cranberr}- bog now operated 
b}'^ H. E. Andrews. He stopped in Hammonton a year, and 
in that time taught school six months near Green Bank. 
Mr. Jackson then took a trij) west, going as far as Iowa. In 
the spring of 1870 he drifted back to Maine where the sum- 
mer Avas spent. But when he came to take an account of his 
stock of traveling experience he made up his mind that Ham- 
monton was about the best place he had seen, and in the fall 
of that j-ear he returned to this place. In the spring of 1871 
he formed a partnership with Benjamin H. Bowles, a brother 
of Dr. H. E. Bowles, and engaged in the meat and provision 
business. The firm opened store in a small building where ra3''s 
drug store now stands. They bought the lot corner of Bel- 
levue and Second, and in the fall of 1872 built a part of the 
present market. Mr. Bowles left the firm in 1874. Mr. 
Jackson now has a finely equipped market, with engine and 
steam kettle, and does a large business. He is Hammonton's 
member of the Board of Freeholders, is one of the Directors 
of the People's Bank, a member of the Board of Commission- 
ers of Appeals, and is prominently connected with various 
civic and beneficial societies in tlie town. 
Z. U. Mattheavs. 

Mr. Matthews is a native of Oswell, Bradford count}'', 
Penna. In 1865 he came to Hammonton, and settled on a 
farm on Middle road, then known as the Shoemaker place. 
He also rented a farm at Winslow, and the same summer 
bought fiA^e acres where his present residence now stands. 
After residing here for five j-ears he went to Dutchess coun- 
t}^, New York, where he remained for two 3 ears. Returning 
to Hammonton he built a house on his propert}'. When he 
came here he was in poor health, and without means. But 
he had pluck and perseverance and kept right at it, being 



History of Hammonton. 



43 



determined to make a success. He purchased more land, un- 
til he now owns his home farm of eight acres, and two other 
places of twelve and twenty acres each. About 1877 he took 
the position of Secretary of the Fruit Growers' Union, then 
simpl3^ a distributing company. In this capacit}^ he served 
the Union for three years without salary. After the reor- 
ganization he had charge of manufacturing fertilizer, and has 
always been the purchasing agent of the Union. In 1882 he 
was made manager of the Union Store, which position he 
still holds. Under his direction the business has become a 
great success. 




J. M. Peebles, M. D. 
The subject of this sketch, J. M. Peebles, M. *D., was born 
in Whitingham, Windham County, Yt., March 23rd, 1822. 
Early developing a liking for school and books, he began 
teaching before 17 3'ears of age; and later he taught a high 
school in Broome County, N. Y. Self-reliant, he prepared 
himself for college in the Oxford Academy, Chenango Coun- 
ty, N. Y., but did not take the collegiate course for lack of 
funds. At the age of twent}' he began the study of medicine 
with Dr. 0. Martin, now of Worcester, Massachusetts, but a 
little later turned his attention to theological subjects, and 



44 History of IIammonton. 

later still to the study of mesinerism, psychology, and psy- 
chic forces. 

The Doctor, an energetic self-made man, is the writer of 
numerous pamphlets, and author of nearly a dozen books, 
such as "Travels Around the World," "Seers of the Ages," 
"Buddhism and Christianit}^ Face to Face," "Our Homes 
and our Employments Hereafter," etc. At present he writes 
for the Medical Brief, lledical Review, and two or three 
health journals. During his two journeys of travels arouud 
the world, he devoted much attention to the magic of India, 
the occult forces so prevalent in Ce3'lon, Siam and China, and 
to leprosy and the leper hospitals of the Oriental countries. 
The doctor graduated from the Philadelphia Universit}', and 
is registered in the city of Philadelphia as a practicing phy- 
sician, and also in New Jersey. 

In 1868 Dr. Peebles accompanied and participated in the 
deliberations of the "Northwest Congressional Indian Peace 
Commission," appointed by Congress, and constituted of 
Gens. Harney, Sherman, Sheridan, Sanborn and Col. Tappan. 

In 18G9, he was appointed by Gen. Grant United States 
Consul to Trebizonde, Asiatic Turkej-*, returning he visited 
Smj^rna, Ephesus and Rome. 

In 1881 he was appointed, "Representative abroad" by the 
National Arbitration League of the United States of America, 
to meet the "International Peace Congress of Europe,"' 
in the interests of arbitration as against war. He continues 
to work with tongue and pen against war; against the inflic- 
tion of capital punishyient; against vaccination; against class 
medical legislation; against intemperance; and in favor of 
womans' suffrage and her full equality with man. And 
though Dr. Peebles is a Fellow of the American Academy, 
Jacksonville, 111., Fellow of the Academy of Sciences, New 
Orleans, La., Fellow of the Anthropological, and Psychologi- 
cal Societies of London, FelloAv of the Academy of Arts and 
Sciences, Naples, Italy, and of other learned 
societies, he is a very plain and unassuming man, 
quietly attendi-ng to his own affairs, and found, when 
not traveling, nor pruning his vines or fruit trees, in his li- 



History of Hammonton. 45 

brary, a choice collection of scA'eral thousand volumes. 

Though at present traveling and lecturing Winters, upon 
Phj'^siology, Hj'giene and Health, in opera houses, churches 
and before the State, formal Schools, of Pennsylvania, he 
finds time to lecture more or less to the students of the 
American Eclectic Medical College, Cincinnati, Ohio, in which 
college he is Professor of Pathology, Physical and Mental 
Hj'giene. He is proprietor of the H:-mmonton Atlantic Mir- 
ror^ a weekl}^, edited by H. W. Wilbur, and proprietor and 
editor of the Golden Door of Hope and Temple of Health, a 
monthh\ Dr. Peebles and his excellent family, have been 
residents of Hammonton for some twenty years. 

Elam Stockwell, 
was born in Allegany County, New York, in 1838, and 
came to Hammonton in January, 1867. Mr. Stockwell settled 
on the farm on Main road now owned by D. Campanella. 
For some time he ran a wagon to Pleasant Mills and Batsto, 
and peddled groceries. In 1872 he opened a store ,in his 
house at the farm, and in 1876 came down town and built a 
small store Bellevue and Third street, on the present loca- 
tion. The store was 32x22, with small residence attached. 
In 1883 he built an addition to the residence, and fitted up 
the old residence for a dry goods department to the store. 
Three 3-ears later he built a large addition to his store, and a 
feed depot two stories high 40x72 feet, put up a windmill for 
grinding corn, and made other improvements. His business 
has steadily' increased, and he now sells in addition to his 
regular stock, large numbers of organs and sewing machines. 
Mr. Stockwell is one of the directors of the People's Bank, 
and a leading member of the Baptist church. 
D. C. Herbert. 

Mr, Herbert came to this countrj- from Oxford, England, in 
1867, and settled at Newtonville this county, about six miles 
from Hammonton. In 1870 he moved to this village, and 
worked in Rogers and Wood's Shoe Factory, and at the end 
of four years started a shop of his own where he did custom 
work and repairing. Several years after he bought E. L. 
Lo veil's shoe store, and carried on the same. In 1882 he 



46 History of Hammonton. 

purchased a lot and erected a wooden building where hi s 

present store is located. This building was subsequently 

burned down, and his present neat brick store was erectel to 

take its place. 

J. D. Fairciiilix 

The parents of Mr. Fairchild came to Hammonton from 
Courthmd country, New York, and he came with them. They 
settled on a farm on Central Avenue, and the year following 
Mr. F. enlisted in the army and served until the close of the 
war. After the war he studied dentistry, and practised his 
profession in Connecticut. In 1868 he married Nellie, a 
daughter of the late Capt. C. J. Fay, and the}^ went back to 
Connecticut, and remained until 1876, when they returned to 
Hammonton, Mr. Fairchild becoming manager of Capt. 
Fay's Centennial Store, just opened. In 1880 he pur- 
chased the property on Bellevue, and began the keeping of a 
grocer}^ store. The property has been lately improved , by 
extensive additions. Mr. Fairchild has been Town Marshal 
for a term of 3'ears. 

C. E. Hall, 

Came to Hammonton in December, 1865, from Rockland^ 
Maine, and tried farming on Pine road. Learned the trade 
of a tinsmith of A. G. Clark, and about the year 1876 bought 
Mr. Clark's interest in the hardware business, and rented the 
store now occupied by Wm. Mannice. He carried on his 
business in this location for about five years, when he pur- 
chased what was then known as the Darwin property, corner 
of Bellevue and Central. The building on the lot was a rather 
ungainly five-roomed tenement, which Mr. Hall rebuilt and 
transformed, and arranged as a store and dwelling. In 1887 
Mr. Hall purchased a lot on Bellevue adjoining his other 
propert}', and erected a two stor}- building, which was fitted 
up as the furniture and hardware department of the store. 
Mr. Hall's business has constantly increased, and his block, 
a cut of which appears in this book, is one of the best busi- 
ness sites in town. 

William Haney. 

Mr. Haney became a Hammontoniau in 1879, coming here 
from Haddonfield. He opened a barber shop, buying out 



History of Hammonton. 47 

Joseph Coast, who was located in a building on the lot now 
occupied by Miss Newton's stove. In 1884 he bought a lot, 
and erected his present shop and residence. Mr. Haney has 
one of the best equipped barber shops in South Jersey. 

L. W. COGLEY. 

Arrived in Hammonton from Tro}^ N. Y. in October, 1866, 
and bought a fruit farm on Middle road, now owned by Mr, Gil- 
lingham. In 18T0 he opened a harness shop in a building 
which stood where Jackson's meat market is now located. 
He then moved to a small building on the present site of 
Simon's bakery, and in 1881 put up a frame building where 
the present shop is located. He died in 1883, and since 
that time the business has been carried on by his widow. 
The shop was burned down in the fall of 1886, and the pres- 
ent brick store was built by Mrs. Cogle}'. 
C. M. Cook. 

Among the youngest of onr business men is Mr. Cook, 
who came to Hammonton in 1886. He engaged in the jewel- 
ry business in a part of Cochran's store, but his trade became 
too large for the location, and Mr. Cochi-an built the present 
store for him, which he occupied in 1887. Mi-. Cook is a 
graduate of a New York school of optics, and makes a spec- 
iality of fitting glasses to diseased and defective e5^es. Mr. 
Cook has as his assistant in his growing business, A. J. Pot- 
ter. 

A.,W. Cochran. 

Mr. Cochran came to Hammonton from Camden, this 
State in 1879. After graduating from the College of Phar- 
mac}', he opened a drug store in the rooms now occupied by 
W. F. Bassett & Son in the Rutherford building. In 1882 
he purchased the lot corner Second and Bellevue, and the 
following year built the store and residence which he now 
occupies. In the fall of last year he built an addition to and 
otherwise improved the building. 

Samuel Anderson, Sr. 

Is a native of Philadelphia where he was born in 1822. 
Reaching his majority he engaged in business in that city 
for some years. He moved to Hammonton in March, 1860^ 



48 History of Hammonton. 

and bought the farm on Middle road now occupied b}' liim. 
In August 1877 he began the flour and feed business, at the 
present location corner Bellevue and Second. The business 
has always been under the management of his son, John C. 

Anderson. 

N. D. Page. 

In 1887 Mr. Page, just arrived in Hammonton from St. 
Lawrence county. New York, opened his photograph gallery^ 

in the Rutherford building. He is a first-class operator and j 

his excellent work has brought him a good business from I 

Hammonton and the surrounding country. In fact Mr. ; 

Page's pictures will compare favorably^ with those made by | 

city artists. The cuts which illustrate this history-, were j 

made from photographs taken by Mr. Page. j 
William Rutherford. 

Mr. Rutherford fought in the war of the rebellion, and 

after that unpleasantness lived in Bath, New York, from | 

which place he came to Hammonton in 1872. He purchased j 

the lot on Bellevue, where his present building stands. At ■ 

that time the lot was planted to grape vines, and these were j 
cleared off and the building erected. Mr. Rutherford is an 

earnest believer in the future greatness of Hammonton. ! 
W. D. Packer. 

Mr. Packer was born in Newburyport, Mass., in 1819. He 

began business by keeping a temperance hotel. Spent about ' 

ten years in Providence, R. L, and in 1865 came to Hammon- < 

ton. For two years he led the life of a farmer, and in 1S67 j 

opened the restaurant at the present stand. In 1869 Mr. , 

Packer started the first bakery^ in this section, and experi- j 

enced all the struggles incident to a new calling in a new ! 

town. I 

C. P. Hill. i 

Mr. Hill used to be a Yankee tin peddler, making his trips ' 

through Western Vermont and Eastern New York. In 1865 ■ 

he moved from Saratoga Springs, N. Y., to Hammonton. In ; 

1868 he left the town, and after visiting several places, and ' 

finding none equal to Hammonton, he returned in 1872, and ; 
the following year opened the restaurant on Bellevue avenue. 




RESIDENCE OF JUDGE BYRNES. 




J. c. 1!K()\v.\im;"s r.KooDixc; house. 



History of Hammonton. 49 

His son Herbert succeeded to the business in 1.884, and Mr. 
Hill lias since given his attention to working up a trade for 
commission houses in New York, Boston and Philadelphja. 

C. J. Fay. 
The late Captain Fay was born near Lexington, Mass., in 
1809, and followed the sea until 1845, when he opened a large 
hotel in Maine. In 1859 he came to Hammonton, and pur- 
chased the entire block of land running from the Camden & 
Atlantic Railroad to Third Street, down to Pleasant, and 
much of the land on the opposite side of Bellevue. He built 
a pare of the old building. In this he manufactured his pa- 
tent hay press. He also opened a variety store. About 
18*10 he sold out to his son George W., who now carries on 
the drug business. Capt, Fay died m 1880. He was ai> ex- 
tensive inventor and manufacturer of patented articles, hav- 
ing invented hay presses, a folding saw horse, etc. Some of 
these articles are now manufactured by Capt. Fay's son in 
Camden. 

Elliot J. Woolley. 
Elliot J. Woolley, who in 1888 erected the first double 
three story brick block in Hammonton, came here in the fall 
of 18G6. He was born in Westminster, Yt., April 15th, 1824; 
during his infancy his parents moved to Watertown, N. Y. 
In 1845 he married Eleanor P. Pa}^, and shortly after remov- 
ed to Windsor, Yt., where they spent two years and then 
located in Wisconsin, going thense back to Watertown, N. Y., 
and from there to Washington, Iowa in 1854, where he en- 
gaged in the manufacture of portable steam engines and saw 
mill machinery. He then learned the watchmaking business 
under one of the most competent workmen in the West. At- 
tracted East through an advertisement of Hammonton pub- 
lished in the New York Herald, he came here and purchased 
the property then known as the Penobscot House, the only 
hotel in the town. After making necessary alterations he 
occupied the place as*a store and dwelling until the spring of 
1888 when the old building was removed to Yine Street, and 
replaced by a handsome brick block which was completed 



50 History of Hammonton. 

October 1st. Mr. and Mrs. Woolley are occupying a portion^ 
of the new building as a store and dwelling. 

John T. French. 

The proprietor of the Hammonton Paint Works, was born 
in Delaware county, Pennsylvania, March 2nd, 1851. 
In l<Sf)7, having learned his trade, he began his career as a 
journeyman painter, which he followed for a number of years. 
In 1877 Mr. French came to Hammonton, and wielded the 
brush successfully until 1883, when he began the manufac- 
ture of prepared paints. The products of the Hammonton 
Paint Works are so popular at home that more than two 
hundred houses in the town have been painted with French's 
paint. The sale for his various brands of i)aintis constantly 
increasing, and they have found their way to different parts 
of the country. Mr. French has a large store in Atlantic 
City at No. 2202 Atlantic Avenue, from which he sells large 
quantities of his goods. The Paint Works are one of the 
recognized institutions of Hammonton, of which our people 
are deservedly proud. Mr. French's mother died when he 
was a mere lad, since which time he has fought his way alone 
in the world. For several years previous to learning his- 
trade he worked on a farm, some of the time in Camden 
county this State. 

Andrew J. King. 

Was born Dec, 1828, in Wilton, five miles north of Sara- 
toga Springs, N. Y. Taught a district school when sixteen 
in his native town. Attended the State Normal School at- 
Albany in 1847-8. Married July 4, 1848. Was admitted to- 
the bar of New York when twenty-one at Saratoga Springs. 
Practiced law there till 1852 when he moved to Illinois. 
Practiced law there 10 years, when health failing he moved 
with his family — wife and two children — across the plains 
with his own teams to California, in 1862. Though admitted 
to the bar his health never permitted him to practice his 
profession there. After remaining in Napa City about three- 
years, he returned, by the way of Panama, to New York and 
the home of his father, who was then old and infirm and 



History of Hammonton. 51 

needed his care. On his father's decease, he purchased the 
old homestead, and remained there some three years; but the 
climate proved too severe, and he was comjjelled to seek a 
milder climate. Hearing of the healthfulness of Hammonton 
he visited it in the fall of 1868, with a view of securing a 
home for the Winter and returning to the old homestead in 
the Spring. Arriving at Hammonton in the evening, he 
looked around the next day, and the day after he purchased 
in two or three hours after seeing it the premises he now lives 
upon, and never returned to the old homestead to live. In 
1871, he lost his left arm by falling under the cars and getting 
it run over. Here his health improved, and he has been able 
to practice his profession since 1874. 

William F. Bassett. 
Mr. Bassett is a native of Ashfield, Mass., where he was 
born in 1825. For a number of years he led a farmer's life, 
and also acted the practical part of a Yankee school teacher. 
In 1862 he moved to Yineland, then in its infancy. He 
started the first store in that town, and for a year kept the 
post office in his store. In the spring of 1864, Mr. Bassett 
came to Hammonton, locating where he now lives on Belle- 
vue avenue. In 1868 he started in the nursery business, 
which calling he has followed ever since. Mr. Bassett intro- 
duced the Agriculturist strawberry into this vicinity, paying 
a fabulous price for one thousand plants. He is the senior 
member of the firm of Wm. F. Bassett & Sons, seedsmen, 
nurserymen and florists. 

John Scullin, 
The agent of the Fruit Growers' Association, was born in 
Utica, N. Y. in 1825, and while he was a boy his parents 
moved to Colchester, Yt. He worked on a farm during his 
boyhood, and followed mercantile life for some years until 
he came to Hammonton in 1867. Arriving here he bought 
the place on Basin road where he now resides. At that time 
there was practically nothing but a wilderness in that part of 
the town. He now owns his home farm of thirty acres, and 
two other farms besides. Mr. Scullin is the most successful 



52 History of Hammonton. 

raiser of apples in Hamraonton, his heavily loaded orchard 
of perfect fruit ^/as a sight to behold last Fall. 
Edwin R. Sproul, 

Mr. Sproul was born in Bangor, Maine, in 1830, but his 
parents moved to New York while he was a small child, and 
there he grew to manhood and lived and labored until 1876, 
when he moved to Hammonton. For ten years he was in 
the government employ, with headquarters in New York. 
His farm on Basin Road was then in a wild state, and al- 
though without previous experience as a farmer, Mr. Sproul 
set himself vigorously at the task of making the wilderness 
blossom as the rose. He now has a fine farm, and one of our 
handsomest rural residences. He was president of the Park 
Association one 3'ear, was a director of the Association until 
the town purchased the park ; a member of the Board of 
Freeholders two j^ears, and director of that body for one 
3'ear. Mr. Sproul is serving his second term as President of 
the Fruit Grower's Union, and is also one of the Commis- 
sioners ot Appeal of the town. 

L. Beverage. 

Councilman Beverage was born in North Haven, Maine, 
in 1842. He followed the sea, coasting, and in 1864 enlisted 
in the navy. At the close of the war he returned to his home 
and former occupation. In 1868 he moved to Jerse}'', set- 
tling at Elwood, and living the life of a sailor as in Maine. 
He finally learned shoe making, and in 1883 came to Ham- 
monton, since which time he has worked in Osgood & Co.'s 
factory. Was appointed a member of Council last Fall to 
fill vacancy caused by death of St. Paul Seeley, and was re- 
elected at the Spring election in 1889. 
A. J, Smith. 

Our present Town Clerk was born in Steuben, Washington 
Co., Maine, in 1845; came to Hammonton when 15 years of 
age. Learned the mason's trade under his father. In 1865 
he was employed as the agent here of the Camden & Atlan- 
tic Rail Road serving in that position about three years. 
His predecessors in that office were Jos. Miller, from Maine, 



History of Hammonton. 53 

Lewis Evans, our present County Clerk, and Wm. Brace, 
brother of F. R. Brace, of Camden County, and his successor 
was Russel Moore who held the position for fifteen or sixteen 
years. Mr, Smith i-esigned his position as railroad agent to 
enter the firm of T. J. Smith & Son, lumber dealers, continu- 
ing in that business until 1875. Since that time has been in 
the real estate and conveyancing business, working occasion- 
ally at his trade. Was Secretary of the Hammonton Loan 
and Building Association for thirteen years, and is at present 
a director in the same, and also of the People's Bank and the 
Hammonton Cranberry Association. Has held the position 
of Town Clerk for eleven years. Has been a candidate for 
Sheriff and County Clerk of Atlantic County, on the Prohi- 
bition ticket. . 

C. F. Osgood & Co. 
Cyrus F. Osgood, senior member of the above firm, was 
born at Auburn, Maine, Sept. 10, 1841. At the age of twenty 
he went to L3ain, Mass., the great shoe manufacturing me 
tropolis, and soon after his arrival, enlisted in the 4th Massa 
chusetts Heavy Artillery, under Col. King, of Boston. At 
the close of the war, Mr. Osgood returned to Lynn, and 
learned the business of shoe manufacturing, and in 1870cr.me 
to Philadelphia. The year following found him in Elwood, 
as superintendent of a factory in that village. In 1872 he 
came to Hammonton, and in company with Calvin Johnson, 
began the manufacture of shoes, in the DePuy building. Af- 
ter a year, Mr. Osgood bought out Johnson, and took in T, 
B. Tilton and William Black, and the firm did business as 
Osgood, Black and Tilton. At the end of a year and a half 
Mr. Osgood withdrew, and formed a partnership with Ex- 
Sheriff E. D. Redman. The firm of Osgood and Redman 
conducted their business in a part of the building now occu- 
pied b}^ John Murdoch, for about six months, and then 
moved to the bviilding occupied by Whiflen Bros. & Co. 
Another 3'ear and a half passed, when Mr. Osgood sold his 
interest to Henry Poyer. Mr. Osgood is the present Post- 
master of Hammonton. He is a firm believer in the maxim 



54 History of Hammonton. 

that everlastingly keeping at it brings success. William J. 
Smith, the junior member of the firm, was born in Milibridge 
Maine, in 1855, and came to Hammonton with his parents in 
1860, learned the shoe manufacturing business of C. P. Os- 
good, and entered the firm in 1878. 

Whiffen Bros. & Co. 

This firm of shoe manufacturers is composed of Jesse, 
Harr}', and Edward Whiffen. and David S. Cunningham. 
The brothers are natives of Christ Church, Hampshire, Eng- 
land, where Jesse was born in 1840, Harry in 1843 and Ed- 
ward in 1845. They learned the business of shoe manufac- 
turing in the old country, and all came to America in 1872, 
and located in New Yorlv. In about a year they went to 
Philadelphia, and l)egan the manufacture of shoes in that 
city. In 1884 the Whiffens bought the shoe manufacturing 
business of T. B. Tilton in this place. Edward Whiften is 
the originator and joint inventor of the Whitl'en-Lake lasting 
machine, an ingenious device tor quickly and neatly lasting 
shoes. David S. Cunningham, the junior member of the firm, 
was born in Philadelphia in 1858, and in 1863 became a resi- 
dent of Vineland, his jxirents having moved to that place. 
In 1879 he beg.an work for Whiffen Bros, in their Philadel- 
phia factory, and in 1883 was taken into the firm, and in 1884 
came to Hammonton to take charge of the factory here. 
William Mannice. 

He is a native of Philadelphia, and became a resident of 
Hammonton in 1870. Learned shoe making of Osgood, 
Black S: Co., and after that followed his trade, working for 
Os;:ood & Co. for a number of years. January, 1888 in com- 
pany with John Galigne, opened a shoe store, connected with 
which was a repairing and order department. In July, 1888, 
Mr. Galigne withdrew from the firm and in the Fall Mr. Man- 
nice put in additional machinery, and since then has given 
his attention almost exclusivel}' to manufacturing. 
Justin S. Thayer. 

Mr. Thayer is a, native of New Hampshire, and was born in 
Richmond that state in 1844. He came to Hammonton in 



History of Hammonton. 



55 



1800, and in 1861 went back to New Hampshire, and brought 
•back his parents. In the fall of the latter 3'ear he enlisted in 
the army, and after four years' service returned to Hammon- 
ton and learned the carpenter's trade of his father, one of the 
old fashioned practical mechanics. He began business for 
himself !is a contractor and builder in 1880, and has met with 
-good success. Mr. Thayer during 1888, erected buildings in 
town and made repairs to the value of $22,000. 
P. H. Jacobs. 
Mr. Jacobs was born in Richmond, Va., April 24, 1841. 
He lived with his grandfjither, on a slave plantation until 
the war broke out, when espousing the cause of the Union, 
he enlisted and served three years in the United States 
army, as hospital steward, commissiary sergeant and quarter 
master sergeant. When the war closed 
he took lip his residence in Philadelphia, 
and was foreman of the book department 
of the Lisenrings printing house, and 
was also for a time foreman of Morrell 
Brothers' establishment. Was offered 
the position of editor of Farmers'' Mag- 
azine, Parkesburg, Pa., and afterwards 
of the agricultural department of Phila- 
delphia Record. Was selected to edit 
the Povltry Keeper, and afterwards, in 
connection with Mr. A. H. Potts, purchased it. At present 
is editor of Poultry Keeper, Farmers'' Magazine, and agri- 
cultural department of the Philadelphia Record. Has charge 
of poultr}' department of Farm and Fireside. Springfield, 
O., American Rural Home, Rochester, N. Y., Mirror and 
Farmer, Manchester, N. H., and a regular contributor to 
American Agriculturist, Rural New Yorker and Philadel- 
phia Weekly Press. Has resided in Hammonton about ten 
years, and has largely used the above papers to advertise 
our town. 

A. H. Simons. 
Mr. Simons was born in Gettysburg, Pa., in 1860, and 
when three years of age his parents moved to Hammonton. 




50 History of Hammonton. 

April 24, 1886, with S. E. Brown, started the bakery business. 
Mr. Brown soon sold his interest to J. C. Browning. Mr. 
Browning remained in the firm a short time when Mr. Simons 
succeeded to the business. In : bout three months after this 
event his bakery was burned down, but in about lour weeks 
he had anotlier oven up ready for business. Upon the com- 
pletion of Black's block he established himself there which 
has since been his location. 

D. F. Lawson. 

Mr. Lawson is the surviving member of the firm of Jones 
& Lawson, Mr. Jones having died in the Spring of 1 888. The 
firm was established in 1884. Since that time as contractors 
and builders the^^have put up buildings in town valued at $50,- 
000. Last year Mr. Lawson's business ammounted to about 
$15,000. 

Andrews & Roberts. 

Henry E. Andrews, senior member of the firm, was born 
in Medford, Burlington county, in 1839. Enlisted in the 
arm}^ in 1861, and served four years. In 1869 became super- 
intendent of the Hammonton Cranberry Meadows, which po- 
sition he held for fifteen years. Came to Hammonton in 
1884. He still carries on the cranberry business. The firm 
was formed in Feb., 1889, when they bought O. E. Moore's 
stand, and opened a grocery and provision store. Frank E. 
Roberts, the firm's junior member, was born in Portland, Me., 
in 1858. At the age of seventeen entered the store of George 
Elvins, and remained in his emplo}' until February of this 
year. 

J. 0. Ransom. 

The Main Road Nurseryman, was born in Plymouth, Chen- 
ango county. New York, in 1818. At the age of fifteen, his 
father moved to Chautauqua county, and a year later young 
Ransom entered a dr^^ goods store in Jamestown as clerk. In 
1837 he started on a trip West and South, and went as far as 
New Orleans. He clerked and taught school for about two 
years in the Red River country. But his health broke down, 
and he started for his father's house in York State, riding the 



History of Hammonton. 5T- 

whole distance of 1,600 miles on horse-back. In the Spring of 
1840 he opened a general store in Smyrna, New York, where he 
remained for twenty-three years. His health again failing,, 
he came to Hammonton in 1866, and was greatly benefitted 
by the climate, and now enjoys good health for a man over 
seventy years of age. Has been in the nurser}^ business here 
for over twenty years. 

Curtis S. Newcomb. 
Mr. Newcomb was born in Courtland county. New York^ 
in 1843. Was mostly engaged in farming and stock raising 
until he came to Hammonton in 1874, and settled on the farm 
he now owns on Middle road. In 1888 was elected school 
trustee, and also member of the Town Council, and re-elected 
to the latter position in 1889. Mr. Newcomb deals exten- 
sively in butter, shipping it from York state, and selling it to- 
the trade. Has sold over seven tons since Ifist September. 

Peter S. Tilton. 

Was born in Bakersville, Atlantic County, N, J^ in 1823, 
Was a farmer for several years, and in 1864 came to Ham- 
monton, and opened a general store. Mr. Tilton took his son 
Wilber R. in the firm, which is now P. S. Tilton & Son. Wil- 
ber R. is the cashier of the People's Bank, holds oth°r respon- 
sible positions, and is a young man very highly esteemed by 
the people of the town. 

S. E. Brown. 

Samuel E. Brown, of S. E. Brown & Co., was born in El- 
mira. New York. Came to Hammonton with his parents in 
1865, and worked on his father's farm. Was operator at 
Hammonton station on the Philadelphia and Atlantic Citj^ 
Railway for about seven years. Has been a member of the 
school board since 1,883. Began the hardware business in 
August, 1886. 

Charles Woodnutt." 
Mr. Woodnutt, is one of the members of the Town Coun- 
cil. Was born in Salem, N. J., Jan. 14th, 1836. By profes- 
sion he is a dentist, which calling he followed for twelve 



58 History of Hammonton. 

3'ears. Mr. Woodnutt w:is prominent in the Grange move- 
ment when it first started some seventeen 3'ears ago, at which 
time he was a resident of Cumberland count}'. He came to 
Hammonton in the spring of 1883. Is one of the directors 
of the Fruit Growers' Union. 

BIOGKArHICAL NOTES. 

John Atkinson was born in Philadelphia, but has been a 
resident of New Jersey mo^t of the time since 1837. He 
came to Hammonton in 1875. Has been a justice of the 
peace for fifteen ^-ears, and a Hammonton justice since 1885. 
Is also a commissioner of deeds. Served for three years in 
the army during the rebellion. 

Mrs. D. Arlitz came to Hammonton in 1885, and soon after 
moved their Philadelphia store to this place, locating in Fay's 
building. In November, 1888, moved to one of the commo- 
dious stores in Woolle^-'s brick block. 

A. A. Butler moved from Marlton in the Spring of 1888, 
and opened a barbershop corner of Bellevue and Third street, 
and now has an attractive shaving saloon. 

Miss C. E. Newton began the millinery business in what 
is now the bank building in 1886. In a few months her in- 
creasing business compelled har to seek larger quarters, when 
she moved to her present location in Black's brickblock. 

H. M. Trowbridge was born in West Chester County, New 
York, in 1857, and came to Hammonton with his parents in 
1874. The store he now keeps was opened bj-^ his father J. 
L. Trowbridge in 1875. 

W. H. French, who keeps the Lake View Nursery, was 
born in Hallowell, Maine, in 184:9. Came to Hammonton in 
1880, and in 1881 embarked in the nursery business, and has 
met with gratif3'ing success. 

W. H. Burgess, our Road Superintendent, was born at 
Yinal Haven, Maine, in 1853. Came to Hammonton in 1862. 
In 1877 visited nearly all the "Western States and decided to 
make his home in Hammonton. 



CHAPTER IX. 

The Newspaper, Farming, Poultry and Manufacturing 
Interests of Hammonton. 
The first newspaper publication in Hammonton, was the 
Hammonton Farriier, which was issued by Judge Byrnes, as 
a monthly, for about four years. It was devoted largely to 
a, record of sales and improvements of real estate. The paper 
was discontinued upon the establishment of a weekly paper 
in town. 

South Jersey Republican. 
The Republican was first issued at Absecon, August 15, 
1863, with D. B. Snow as editor. It appeared regularly in 
that town until February, 1866, and on the third of that 
month the plant having been transferred to Hammonton, its 
issue of that date was dated and printed here. We believe 
the plant of the paper was purchased by some of the citizens 
of the place, and at the end of the year, Mr. Snow had done 
so well he was given a bill of sale of the plant in fee simple. 
February 26th, 1870, Mr. Snow sold the paper to J. S. Cor- 
dery, who had been associated with him in conducting the 
paper. Mr. Corder^- continued in the business until November, 
1872, when he sold it to Dr, H. E. Bowles. The Doctor was 
an old time printer as well as a medical practitioner, a native 
of Western New York. He had served in the army. The 
Doctor remained in the journalistic harness until 1880, when 
he sold his paper to Orville E. Hoyt, the present proprietor. 
Dr. Bowles is still a resident of Hammonton, and is the Cor- 
oner of the count}-. Mr. Hoyt is a native of Mauch Chunk, 
Penna. Entered the army in 1864, and came to Hammonton 
in 1865, and in 1870 went to Michigan, and was foreman of 
the Ypsilanti Commercial^ and from 1876 to 1880 published 
the Dexter Ledder in that State when he returned to Ham- 



60 History of Hammonton. 

monton to take charge of the Republican as above stated. 
He has been collector and treasurer of the town for some 
years. The Republican is a five column quarto, subscription 
price $1.25 a year. The Republican office has a job printing 
department connected with it. 

In the fall of 1878, Gren. Joseph Barbiere, of Tennessee, 
who served in the confederate army, started the Hammonton 
Times. It had a short career, when it was moved to Atlan- 
tic City, and was the beginning of the Times now published 
at that place. 

The Atlantic Mirror. 

The Mirror was started in 18Y9 as The Hornet, an amateur 
sheet, about the size of a sheet of note paper, by Dion E. 
Woolley. It grew with its growth and strengthened with its 
strength, contending with opposition and predjudice. In 
1882 it was sold to A. H. Whitmore, b}^ whom its name was 
changed to the Atlantic County Mirror. It was also enlarged 
and advanced on the road of journalistic progress. Mr. 
Whitmore sold the paper in 1887 to G. A. Crichet, who drop- 
ped the County from its name, and left it as the Atlantic 
Mirror as it now stands. In June 1888 the paper and plant 
were purchased by Dr. J. M. Peebles, and H. W. Wilbur was 
selected as its editorial manager. W. B. Hand, a native of 
Cumberland county, was secured to attend to the canvassing, ; 
news gathering and outside business. We may honestl}' and 
modestW remark that the paper has been improved in various 
ways, and its patronage increased during the year. Messrs 
Wilbur and Hand operate a large book and job printing office 
with steam power, in connection with the Mirror, although 
it is not a part of the plant. The Mirror is independent in 
politics, and is furnished at $1 a year. 

The Poultry Guide and Friend 
is the first poultry journal ever printed in Hammonton. It 
was started in Reading, Pennsylvania, in 1880, by its present 
proprietor, Michael K. Boyer. In 1886 J. Frank Mancha, of 
the Claremont (Va.) colony, held out inducements to Mr. 
Boyer to remove it to that place, where it flourished until 



History of Hammonton. 



61 



May, 1888, when sickness compelled the publisher to get 
back North. Hammonton being a very prominent poultry 
town he chose this location, and ever since it has been pub- 
lished here. Mr. Boyer reports his success here as simply 
phenomenal, having more than tripled both his subscription 
and advertising patronage. The paper is devoted to poultr}' 
and pets, issued monthly, and only 25 cents a 3^ear. Outside 
of the editing of his paper, Mr Boyer is on the editorial staff 





MiCHAKL K. Boyer. 
of the Texas Farm and Ranch and Germantown Telegraphy 
and engaged as a specialist on the American Agriculturist, 
Farm and Home, Godeifs Lady^s Book, and other publica- 
tions. He is at present establishing an experimental farm 
for poultry and pets, using both the natural and artificial 
styles of incubation with his fowls. 

Mr. Boyer is a young man yet, born in Reading, Pa., July 
14th, 1858, making him not quite 31 yeai-s of age. Ever 
since his residence here he has been working hard for the 
advancement of our town's interests, and is becoming a valua- 
ble citizen. The Poultry Guide and Friend is printed at the 
office of the Atlantic Mirror. 



62 History of Hammonton. 

Shoe Manufacturing. 

The business of manufacturing shoes has been an important 
industry in Hammonton for a number of years. Various es- 
tablishments of the kind have existed here since the business 
was first begun, and a number of ill advised experiments 
failed and went their way. The business is now upon the 
bed rock, substantial men being engaged in it, and their en- 
terprise is a credit to the town, and a source of profit and 
prosperity to them. 

Whiffen Bros. & Co., started a branch of their Philadelphia 
factor}' here in 1884, and the following year their entire man- 
ufacturing interests were transferred to this jilace. Their 
factory is well fitted out with all the most approved shoe 
making machinery, and has a capacity of 500 adult and 300 
infants', children's and misses' shoes a day. Thej'' have an 
office and salesroom at 136 Market street, Philadelphia. 

The firm of C. F. Osgood & Co., was formed in 1878, and 
consisted of C. F. Osgood, W. J. Smith and C. Small. They 
began business over Fay's drug store. In 1881 C. Small sold 
his interest to J. B. Small, who remained in the firm until 
1884, when he withdrew, leaving Messrs. Osgood and Smith 
as the sole proprietors. In 1885 the commodious new factory 
was erected and occupied. Osgood & Co., have been doing 
a constantly increasing business, and have one of the best 
arranged and equipped shoe factories in New Jersey. When 
working a full force they are able to turn out 1,800 pairs of 
adults' and 300 pairs of children's shoes a day. 

Fruit Growing and Farming. 
'^' The adaptability of the soil and climate of Hammonton for 
the raising of all kinds of fruit, has been demonstrated by 
more than a quarter of a century of successful efibrt on that 
line, and now the annual product of fruit is simply prodi- 
gious. Last year the town's blackberry crop picked and 
marketed amounted to 2,500,000 quarts; of strawberries we 
marketed 700,000 quar':s, and of raspberries upwards of 300.- 
000 quarts, and of grapes, 100,000 pounds. There are in 
town 833 acres of cranberry bogs in bearing, last year's crop 



History of Hammonton. 63 

of which amounted to 100,000 bushels. The pear crop ag- 
gregated over 5,000 bushels, and of this fruit many large 
orchards have not yet reached fall bearing. There was paid 
to berry pickers alone last year, by the farmers of Hammon- 
ton, in the neighborhood of $50,000, for simply picking the 
berry croj) from the vines and bushes. 

The farmers of the place, as a class, enjoy reasonable pros- 
perity, and while all have not proved successful in grabbing 
the nimble sixpence to their heart's content, the "ne'r-do- 
wells" are a small minority. Many of the farmers came here 
with nothing, and in commencing heroically shouldered 
debt, and have conquered success from threatened disaster. 

Z. TJ. Matthews, from his small farm, reports having cleared 
last year, the snug sum of $1,000. 

D. Colwell, whose pear crop amounted last year to about 
300 barrels, a net income of $1,000. Mr. Colwell came here 
twenty-one years ago, and at that time his farm was heavily 
mortgaged. That has all been i)aid off, and money in the 
treasury. Mr. Colwell is a member of the Town Council. 
He came from Buffalo, N. Y. 

L. Monfort came here in 1859, and in 1806 took up his 
present farm from the stump. To get started he had to 
mortgage his place. He has fifteen acres in pears. The 
mortgage was paid off long ago, and has money invested. 
The buildings on his farm are first-class. His pear crop net- 
ted him $1,500 last year, and he believes it will continue to 
pay him six per cent, on the value of his farm, over and 
above expenses, and support of family. 

W. A. Elvins netted last year about $3,000 on twenty-five 
acres of blackberries, and ten of strawberries. 

D. Campanella is an Italian, and owns 130 acres. Eleven 
years ago, as he puts it, he began with "nothing and an old 
horse." He now owns his farm, with good buildings, clear 
of debt, and is yearly making money. 

The above are not unusual examples of thrift and prosperity, 
as many others may be found, but we do not pretend that 
money can be made without hard work and good management. 



64 , History of Hammonton. 

We simply claim that Hammonton offers p:ood advantages 
for the industrious and capable to get along in the world. 
Our Poultry Interests. 

During the past few j'ears, the raising of chicken s for 
''broilers" to tickle the palates of the epicures of the large 
cities and fashionable resorts, has become a profitable indus- 
try', and Hammonton has achieved a national reputation as 
the largest "broiler" town in the country. 

The raising of these broilers has revolutionized the chicken 
business, as the setting hen as the hatcher and brooder of 
chickens has been superseded by the artificial process. Un- 
der the modern plan, chicken raising has been reduced to a 
science, and. that it contains ample return for labor, skill and 
profit invested, has been amply demonstrated in Hammon- 
ton. 

The modern process involves hatching the chicks in incu- 
bators by means of artificial heat, applied in various ways. 
Of the making of incubators there seems to be no end, and 
almost every conceivable kind is in use here. In the single 
machines the heat is derived from a lamp, and it is claimed 
that these machines, properl}' attended, will produce a chick- 
en from ever}- fertile egg. When hatched the chickens are 
cared for in brooders, also artificially wai'med, and the suc- 
cess of the business may be said to largely lie in the skill 
with which the chicks are cared for and fed, after being con- 
signed to the care of these artificial mothers. 

There are about twenty-five persons in town, more or less 
extensively engaged in raising broilers for the market, their 
capacity ranging from a, few hundred, to several thousand 
during the season. Harry M. Phillips, who is the largest 
broiler raiser, has a mammoth establishment, his brooder 
house being 300 feet long, with a capacity of 7,000 chicks. 
Mr. Phillips' establishment is fitted up with all the ingenious 
devices and improvements which a successful experience has 
demonstrated as necessary to the l)usiness. J. C. Browning 
is also a large producer of broilers. Both he and Mr. Phil- 
lips heat their large establishments from steam boilers. Other 




RESIDENCE OF M. L. JACKSON. 




WOOLLEY'S BLOCK. 



History of Hammonton. 65 

large broiler raisers are C. E. Howe, G. W. Pressey, James 
Seel^', Cliadwick & Berr}, Henry Niccoali, Frank Hopping, 
Mr. Edsall, R. G. White, A. M. Millan, George Swank, Capt. 
Rickard. 

The market for broilers begins the first of Jannary, and 
closes the last of June, so that most of the work is done 
when the other farm interests do not press themselves for 
attention. It is believed that a fair estimate will place Ham- 
monton 's production of broilers for the.3'earat 25,000, , and 
the price brought, while varying, it is thought will average in 
the neighborhood of Y5 cents each for the season. The mar- 
ket is quite fastidious, and not a little fickle in its demands, 
requiring the chicks when divested of their feathers to weigh 
from a pound and a half, to two pounds each, the profit being- 
larger on a larare than a small chicken. 

The broiler business is a source of profit to those who are 
successful in it, but it is a business requiring work, patience 
and watchfulness, to bring the best returns. Not every per- 
son engaging in it makes a success, and those who do find 
their results proportioned to the capital invested, and the in- 
telligent attention given the business. The location and cli- 
mate of Hammonton, with the fact that here may be had an 
associated experience, makes the success much more certain, 
than new and isolated experiments ai*e likely to prove else- 
where. 

CONCLUDING PARAGRAPHS. 

Edwin Jones, the butcher was born in Delaware Count}', 
Pa., and came to Hammonton in 18T8, buying the farm which 
he now owns. Began butchering in 1886, and opened his 
market in June, 1888. 

William Black was born in Booth Bay, Maine, in 1821). 
For some time he carried on the drug business in Augusta. 
First settled in Hammonton on Fairview avenue. Was 
elected a director of the Philadelphia & Atlantic City Rail- 
wa}^ in 1885, and only recently resigned on account of poor 
health. He first opened his store at the present stand of S. 
E. Brown it Co. Was also engaged in the shoe business, 



fi6 History of Hammonton. 

and in 1878 bought out A. G. Clark at his present stand. 
lie has held nearly all the offices in town during his residence 
here, and was treasurer of Workingmen's Loan and Building 
Association for over eight years. 

George F. Saxton, was born in Williston, Vt., in 1827, 
where he followed farming until 18(55, when he came to Ham- 
monton, buying the place on Central avenue where he now 
resides. In 1869 he opened a coal yard, which business he 
has followed ever since. 

John Walther is a native of Germany, and was horn in 
1849. Came to America in 1853 with his parents, who set- 
tled at Lumberton, N. J. Learned the blacksmith's trade, 
and in 1879 came to Hammonton, and opened a shop where 
the carriage factory now stands. Howard L. Irons was born 
at New Egypt, this State in 1851. His parents moved to 
Toms River in 1800, and there he learned the wheelwright's 
trade. Came to Hammonton in 1884, worked for Alex. Ait- 
ken about a year, and in 1885 the firm of Walther & Irons 
was formed. 

Among the manufacturing industries of Hammonton, may 
be mentioned the woollen mills operated by Messrs. Evans 
and Moore. The}' manufacture flannel cloth of a standard 
grade, which finds ready sale in the mining districts of Penn- 
sylvania. 

C. E. Fowler, at the lake, has a well equipped machine shop. 
He manufactures the Hammonton Incubator and Pressey 
Brooder. In connection with his brother Horace, of Phila- 
delphia, he has nearly completed an original baker, which 
takes the raw dough and prepares and bakes it automatically. 

T. B. Drown was born in Kennebunk, Me., and learned the 
carpenter's trade in Boston. Worked at his trade in that 
city until he can:e to Hammnionton in 1806. Worked at his 
trade here, and for a time in Camden, and in 1881 returned 
here and built his present residence. In 1884 was made 
foreman of Bernshouse's mill. Was elected a member of 
Council in 1885, and has been chairman of that body for two 



History of Hammonton. 67 

years. Served in the war, and is a member of the Grand 
Army Post. 

Major C. M. Jordan was born in Roxbury, Mass. in 1834. 
Most of his life was spent in business in Boston and vicinity. 
Was five years postmaster at Somerville, Mass., and for fif- 
teen years was emplo3'^ed in the Boston post office. On the 
breaking out of the war he enlisted, and was major of the 
First Massachusetts Regiment. Served three years and 
four months, and was mustered out in very poor health. 
Came to Hammonton in 188(>. Is justice of the peace, com- 
missioner of deeds, and is engaged in the auctioneer and real 
estate business. 

Among our successful farmers is P. H. Brown, a native of 
Steuben county, New York. Previous to 1863 Mr. Brown 
spent most of his time teaching in New York state and Hl- 
inois. Shortly ?ifter the war broke out he left his profession 
in Hlinois on account of poor health, and came to Hammon- 
ton. In 1865 he moved here with his family, and settled on 
the farnt, corner of Basin and Main roads, where he engaged 
successfully in fruit raising until 1884, when he sold, came 
into the village and built his present handsome residence. 
Shortly after this he purcha«ed 120 acres of wild land about 
two and one-half miles south-east of the village. He has 
cleared sixty-four acres, and has fine peach and pear orchards 
and large blacklierry, raspberry and strawberry fields, and 
withal a very fine farm. Mr. Brown is nearly seventy years 
of age, and has lots of faith in the capabilities of our soil and 
the excellence of our climate. 

Wm. Bernsh'ouse, the proprietor of the steam planing mill 
aud sash and blind factory, was born in Fathinga, Prussia, 
March 30th, 1884, and landed in New York, August 12th, 
1837. His father was a cal)inet maker, and soon moved to 
Philadelphia where he worked at his trade tor some time. In 
September, 1848, moved to New Germany, about three miles 
from this place, and William chopped wood for the Winslow 
Glass Works. After two years went to Philadelphia, and 



(i8 



History of Hammonton. 



worked in Burgess' glass factory. In March, 1852, apprenticed 
himself to learn the carpenter's trade. Started business for 
himself in 1855, after having served his time as an appren- 
tice. In 1864 and '(55 followed the butcher business, and 
supplied Hammonton, Winslow and New Germany with 
meat. Bought the mill propert}' November 13th, 1875, and 
has carried on the same ever since. Has built hotels, facto- 
ries, farm buildings and fine residences throughout New Jer- 
se}^, Pennsylvania and Maryland. 

Col. Daniel Stone, who 
is represented in the ad- 
joining cut, is a native of 
New York state, and is 
forty -seven years old. He 
spent some time in the 
great west, where he now 
has real estate interests. 
For some time he was gen- 
eral field manager of the 
Claremont, Ya., Colon}', 
'■-:_. and in August of last 
:\jyear came to Hammon- 
ton to act as gelling 
agent for Judge B^'rnes. 
Since coming here the 
Colonel has sold several farms and a good manv town lots. 




Corrections. — On page 10, top line, for A. W. Horton, 
read A. W. Harlow. 

On page 21 for D. Colwell, one of the Assessors, read 
Willimn Colwell. 




RESIDENCE OF THE LATE DR. SNOWDEN. 




A. II. SIMONS' BAKERY. MISS 0. E. NEWTON'S STORE. 



History of Hammonton. 1 

«<WM. BERNSH0USE'8>> 

Steam Planing (Dill, 

DOOR, SASH &BLIKI) FACTORY, 



ALL KINDS CF 



Lumber,IVIill Work,WindowGlass, 

BRICK3LIME3CEMENT3PLASTER3LATH3HAIR3&C. 



We Manufacture 

BERRY CRATES AND CHESTS 

OF ALL KINDS. ALSO 

-^PENNSYLVANIA HEMLOCKS- 

At bottom prices. We manufacture our own 

Your patronage solicited. Satisfaction Guaran- 
teed. 



History of Hammonton. 



WM.RBASSETT&SONa 

Florists mb Seedsmm 

Deal ill the best goods in their line at reasonable p rices 
With a decided love for their bnsiness, and a good botanical 
educati'on, thej' combine an acquaintance ■with the Seed 
Trade, and an experience with Fruits and Plants which qual- 
ifies them to secure and recommend the best to their custom- 
ers. 

Consult your interest by conferring ivith them before placivrj 
your orders. 

ARE YOU INSURED? 

\^ If not insured ad- 
dress, 

: y,peiLLiPS 

|p^^'' ATLANTIC CITY, N. J. 

V' REFERENCES: 

Residents of Ham- 
* monton who have had 
V losses by fire or light- 
ning. 345 policies 
^ now in force in Ham- 
, monton. 

-Correspondence Solicited. - 




History of Hammontox, 3 



^. Hj^ fe 



< 






\^ Bellevae and Central Aves. 

THE HiDEJ^IDimrO 

Hardware and House Furoistiiog Store 



IN HAMMONTON. 





Fiirniture, Cliamber SniteSy, 
Carpets, Matting, Bed Springs, 
JVIattresses, Oil Cloth, Rugs, 

and everything for the proper 
furnishing of the home or of- 
fice. 



Cook and Parlor Stoves, Ran- 
ges, Portable Furnaces, Stove 
Pipe, Carpenter Tools, Build, 
ers' Supplies, Farming Imple- 
ments, and all articles to be 
found in a well conducted hard- 
ware establishment. 

Special attention given the manufacture of Tanks for Hot Water Incubators, Heat- 
ing Pipes for Brooder Houses. Pipes for tiie Hammonton Incubators always irs 
stock. Tin Roofing and Jobbing of all knids promptly and efficiently done. Our suc- 
cess is due to the fact that we furnish only Reliable Goods and Reliable Work at Hon- 
est Prices. Estimates cherfuUy given. 

C- E- HALL, 

Oor. Bellevue and Central Avenue. Hammonton, N. J. 



History of IIammonton. 



HRIfllVIOflTO}! IflCUBflTOll 

150 and 300 Eggs. Price $15.00 and $25.00. 





Mm 



Siiiii' I 



PATENTED OCT. SOtla, ISSo. 

Price Complete with Seven Day Stove, $8.00, 




liiiiiressG,W,PRESS[Y,llammonton,ll,J. 

PATENTEE AND MANUF'R. CIRCULARS FREE. 



History of Hammonton. 




The above is a partial view of the Store of 



S. E. BfiOWN & CO., 



and is the old reliable 



Jiardware arid pnrniture 

ESTABLISHMENT. 



The first floor of main building is devoted to Hardware and its 
bii^nches, and the smaller first floor front and second floors to 
Furniture, Carpets, etc. Their policy of doing business is 

GOODGOODS & FAIR PRICES. 



History of Hammonton. 



e. j. woolley, 

W atchmaker and J eweler . 




Watches, Cloc'is, Jq^qIt^, SiBver^are, Specta- 
cles and Optical Goods. Stationery, School 
Books, Blank Books, Musical In- 
strunsents and To^s. 

BELLEVUE AVE?\!UE, H.' MMOe^TON. NEW JERSEY. 

J^®°'A11 the Popular Weekly and Monthly Publications on hand. 

jTd. fairchild' 

Dealer in 






Country Produce, etc. The place where you get one hundred cents 
on the dollar and sixteen ounces to the pound. Largest stock, low- 
•est prices, prompt attention, full value. T/ie best place in tozvn to 
tiade. fi^^A full line of violin, banjo and guitar strings in stock. 

HAB3M©KTI)K, K„ S, 



For coughs, COLDS, 

And kindred uihnents the nse of 

GreseeDt Goagh GoFdlal 

Is marvelously eftective. Scores in Hammmonton can and do testify 
to its eficacy. Prepared and sold by 

A. W. Cochran, Ph.G., PHARMACIST, Hammonton, N- J. 



History of Hammonton, 7 

WILLIAM D. PACKER 

may still be found at the old stand dispensing 
Baked fresh eveiy morning the year 'ronnd. Dealer in 

CHOICE FRUITS & CONFECTIONS 



N. D. PAGE, 



Photograpbie Artist 

HAMMONTON, N. J. 



Yiews of residences, large out of doors groui:)s, fine cabi- 
net portraits and pictures of all kinds. 

Stereoscopic views of all points of interest in Hammonton 
and vicinity, including views of the Lake, etc. A good idea 
of the tow^n can be gained from them. 

Single views 25 cents each ; 1 dozen assorted $2.00. Sent 
by mail on receipt of price. 

W. A. ELVINS, Jr., 

Delivery of United States Express to all parts of 
of the town. 

Cor. Egg Harbor Koad and Yine Street. 

Hammontois^, IS'ew Jersey. 



History of Hammonton. 




AND 



<So-oper6itive (§)ociety, 

[LIMITEE,] 

Store, t HI. Gof. 01. H- 1 Ave. <S 13th St. 

DEALERS IN 

GEJ\^ERAL MERCHAJ^DISE 

Flour, Feed, 

Chicken Supplies of all kinds. 

A general assortment of 

-FARM IMPLEMENTS- 

Agents for Bird's Sulky Cultivators and the South Bend 
Bissel Plows. A large stock of GROCERIES, of the best 
quality. A full stock of HARDWARE and WOODEN- 
WARE. Stoves and Ranges of the best patterns. Tin- 
ware, Agate Ware and Crockery \\'are. 

DRY GOODS AND NOTIONS. 

Gents' and Ladies' Underwear. CLOTHING to fit all sizes 
and ages. We make a specialty of Pants. FURNITURE. 
Chairs, Rockers, Tables, Stands, Bed Room Suits, Toilet 
Sets, Mattings and Carpets. We are agents for the Adams 
and Westlake 



l^y® ri^^ /T^ r<s^ '\^T yg^v c®z^ (M:m 

The very best in^the market. All goods not found as repre- 
sented can be returned and exchanged or money refunded. 

EVERY PURCHASER SHARES IN THE PROFITS 



History of Hammonton. 



W. H. BERNSHOUSE, 

DEALER IN 

Best Grade Lehigh Coal 

YARD OPPOSITE THE MILL. 

MONTHLY COMMENT. 

THE NEWEST THING IN LITERATURE. 

First Number will be out about May 7th, 1889. 

Sixteen pages. Contains a Digest of the 
Month's News, Opinions and Comments liy 
the Leading Newspapers of all shades of 
opinion, the poetry of the month, and origi- 
nal reviews and comments. 

Send for sample copy. Just what every 
busy man and woman needs, in the briefest 
way to get a record ot the world's doings, and 
the current comment of the month. Issued 
the first of each month, at low price ot M cts. 
a year. Begin with the first uumher. 

Address MONTHLY COMMENT, Hammonton, N. J. 



'Nowhere else can you get so many facts and opinions 
for tlie small outlay of one cent a month. 

A specialty. The latest styles and best assortment. Particular attention to trim- 
ming to suit the style and complexion of wearer. Hats and bonnets colored and 
pressed over if desired. Infant's and children's mull caps handsome and cheap. A 
complete line of ladies' and children's underwear. A complete stock of hosiery ; no- 
thing lacking in this line. Rushing, cuffs, collars, kid and silk gloves, Swiss and 
Hamburg edgings, all kinds of notions, dress linings, trimmings and buttons. Mate- 
rials of all kinds fcr fancy work. Perfumery, stationery, fancy soaps, etc. New goods 
every week, and don't forget that I take orders for any goods not kept in stock. V'ou 
can save money by buying or ordering goods of 

CORA E. NEVS^TON. 





10 History of Hammontox. 

THE HWONTOH 



mm 



is a pure Linseed Oil Paint composed of the purest Materials 
and Pioments known. A thoroughly 

PRACTICAL PAINT 

and sold at the lowest possible price. You talce no chances 
in buying the Hammonton Paint. 

HU.YDREDS of BUILDL^'GS 

have been painted with the Hammonton Paint, and every 
gallon guaranteed to wear as long as any known paint un- 
der like conditions. 

JOHNT,FREN<]H,Profr, 

FACTORY : 

Ha,z:cLz:cLor:Lto3nL, 3Sr. T. 

stcdh:e3, 

2202 Atlantic Ave., Atlantic City. 

SEND FOR SAMPLES AND PRICES. 



History of Hammonton. 11 

STRONG & GREEN 

CYCLE CO., 

707 ilFeh street, Philadelphia, Penna. 




Bicycles, Tricycles and Sundries. 

The largest retail store in America. Every first-class make of bi- 
cycle kept in stock. Purchasers taught to ride ft'ee of charge. Call 
and see, or send for catalogue. 

JOHN ATKINSON, 

"Justice of the Peace-- 

AND COMMISSIONER OF DEEDS. 
Hammonfon, New Jersey. 



J. S. THAYER, 

i^fcMtect, Conti'actoi' and BuildEf, 

HAMMONTON, N. J. 

I have a large variety of new and original designs on hand, 
which I respectfully invite all to examine before purchasing 
plans elsewhere. 

All work guaranteed, and best of references furnished. I re- 
spectfully solicit your patronage. 



12 



History of Hammonton. 



lv£. L. T-^CI^S03iT, 



Wholesale and Retail 




FRESH MEATS. 

The Best Shamong Veal & Lamb 

In Season. We make a Specialt}' of 

Jersey Cured Hams, Shoulders, 
Pork, Lard, 

CANNED COODS, VEGETABLES, ETC. 




Watehes, pFeneh and flmepiean Clocks, ; 

SILVERWARE AND FINE JEWELRY. 

I 
Also a comi)lete line of 

SPECTACLES & EYEGLASSES 

Our improved facilities for testing and fitting th-^ eyes en- 
able us to guarantee satisfaction in this department. 

REPAIRING CAREFULLY & PROMPTLY DONE. 

Corner Bellevue Avenue and Second Street. ! 



History of Hammonton. 13 

Hammontou Iiand Office. 

Opened in 1857 by R. J. BYRNES. 

FOH SilliE.-Improved pF^it Fa^ms, 

with suitable buildings. Land planted in all fruits for market, 
at $i,ooo and upwards. 

POULTRY FARMS, well located. 

FRUIT & POULTRY LANDS, at 30 dollars per acre. 

TOWN LOTS, at 50 dollars and upwards. 



A tract of suitable land has been recently survey- 
ed into five acre farms foi' fruit and poultry, which 
will be sold at $150 each, on the installment plan, 
by paying $5 each month, without interest. 1,500 
lots, pieces or parcels of land, have beet\ sold from 
this of^ce, and the titles have been examined by the 
best lawyers of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New 
York without discovering any defect. 

Land buyers should on arriving at Hammonton, 
call at once at R. J. Byrnes' office, where all the 
original maps, plans and surveys can be seen, and 
all information can be had as to titles, conveyancing, 
etc., and every facility will be given to examine the 
the land and property free,! thereby saving time, 
trouble and expense. Address or apply to 

R. J. BYRNES, Founder. 
Col. Dan'l Stone, Selling Manager. 



14 History of Hammonton. 

L. W. COGLEY, 

plarness, ^adlery andTi^mnl^ ^tope, 

BELLEVUE AVENUE, HAMMONTON, N. J, 

A large assortment of Machine and Hand Made Harness, double and 
single always on hand, from |S up. Riding saddles, bridles, blank- 
ets, horse sheets and dusters, whips, brushes, harness and wagon 
oils, soaps, etc. Leather and rope halters, trunks and valieses. Or- 
ders and repairing prcimjitly at lowest city prices. 

t4ERM/iN FlEDiiR, 

Manufacturer and Dealer in 

Tremper Block. All orders promptly attended to. Factory 
No. 86, 1st District of New Jerse}-. A full assortment of 

OOIsTIFElCTIOTsrEIR'Y", 
HammontoTi New Jersy^ 

jToTransom, 

Grower and dealer in all kinds of 

Fruit Trees, Vines, Evergreens, 

HEDGE AND LAWN PLANTS, SHADE TREES, &c. 

Hammonton, 

New Jersey. 






W^M- MANlSlCE, 

Manufacturer of 

Ladles', Misses and Children's- 

F"f MR SMORB. 

HAMMONTON, N. J. 



History of Hammonton. 15 

P. S. TILTON & SON, 



DEALERS IN 



General 



ISerehandise, 

HAM1I®KT©K3 M. Jo 
Corner of Belleinie and E^^ Harbor Road. 

Valley £venue Egg parm. 

Eggs from R. C. B. Leghorns, P. Rocks, W. C. 

B. Polish, W. R. C. Leghorns. 
Prices reasonable. Satisfaction guaranteed. 

^W. IBL. HI. BI^.^3DBTJK"Z", 
Grape and Valley Ave. Hammonton, N. J. 

JOHD maMD'O^H, 

Manufacturer and Dealer in 

BOOTS, SHOES AND SLIPPERS. 

A M SdpbIj of Eiililier Goofls lie Year Roiil. 



16 



IIlSTOHY OF IIaMMONTON. 




A. H. SIMONS'S 

BAK E RY I 



Manufacturer of 



Dealer in 

Goiifectioiiery, J^ruits, ]N[uts,"Etc. 

Picnics and Festivals supplied at short notice, at special rates. 





1 J..^ 


• ■•.,.. 



C. F. OSGOOD & CO^S SHOE FACTORY, 




PEOPLE'S BANK BUILDING. 



History of Hammonton. IT 

SEEDS. 

One hundred and five years ago David Landreth commenced the business of 
raising Garden Seeds for sale, and was the first in this country to pursue it on 
a systematic plan. His efforts eminently successful — secured public confidence, 
and established for his produce a reputation unapproached by the other seeds 
sold in America. The concern thus founded has passed to the third gener- 
ation, and the present proprietois of Bloomdale, with whom it has been a lead- 
ing object to perpetuate the professional reputation of the founder. The estab- 
lishment continued on principles laid down by its founder has been gradually 
enlarged, increasing with the growing wants of the country, and continues to 
be by far the most extensive in the Union, supplying a large share of the de- 
mand of the United States, and exporting to Europe, Asia, Africa, West In- 
dies, South and Central America, Mexico and Oceanica. Catalogue published 
in seven different languages. Our new catalogue for 18S9, containing descrip- 
tive lists of novelties and standard sorts, with 72 photograph illustrations of 
choice vegetables, with culture instructions and recipes for preparation and 
cooking. Sent free to all applicants. 

XD- Xja^riLd-retltL d^ SorrLS, 

IMPLEMENT AND SEED WAREHOUSE, 

21 ai 23 So. Siitli St, or Delaware Ave. aiil Arch St, 

PHILADELPHIA- 

The well-known Hat Store of 204 Market Street, Philadelphia, has 
been removed to 241 MARKET STREET. We have a larger stock 
of Hats, Caps and Umbrellas than ever, all new and warranted to 
give satisfaction. The best and latest styles in Silk, Fur, Derbys, 
Soft Fur, Cloth and Straw. Bottom Prices. 

Everybody bivited to to call and see our store and goods. 

SILAS BETTS. 

W. H. FRENCH. Proprietor. 

All kinds of Fruit and'gOrnamental trees, Shrubs, Roses, 
Vines, etc. ' J3aker Seedling Pach a specialty. This is a nat- 
ural peach, reproducing itself from pit; free stone, flesh yel- 
low, and quality superior to ano peach we have ever grown. 
Send for testimonials. 

Central and Hammontoi^ Avenues, Hammonton, N. J, 



18 History of IIammonton. 

Contractor -:- and -:■ Builder, 

hammoNton, N. J. 

PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS M ESTIMATES ftrnisliefl. 

JOBBING- Promptly Attended to. 

Thankful for your past patronage, I would re- 
spectfully solicit a continuance of the same. 
ID. W. I_.^WS0S\ 

Contractor and Builder, 

Hj^IVUMONION, N. J. 

Having a large variety of new and beautiful designs for modern cottages and other 
buildings, I respectfully invite all who contemplate building to call and examine the 
same before purchasing plans elsewhere. 

Plans, specifications and estimates furnished on application. Practical drawing done 
in a neat and careful manner, at reasonable rates. I respectfully solicit a share of 
your patronage. 

W. B. MURPHY, 

Liverf, Sale, Exchange Ooding Stable, 

Cor. I2TH 5t. & R. R. Ave., Hammonton, K.J. 

Buss to meet all trains, and will deliver passengers to all parts of town within one- 
half mile of station, for ten cents each. 
Dog Carts, Phaetons, and Saddle Horses. Bran new outfit at the old stable. 



History of Hammonton. 19 

HAMMONTON HOTEL 

House newly repaired ajid enlarged. Aeconimodation for perma- 
nent and transient guests. Splendid accommodation for Summer 
bo.irders. Terms Reasonable. No paitis will be spared to make the 
house pleasa7it a?id attractive for the guests. 

JESSE TREATj Prap^r. 

OPPOSITE THE DEPOT. 



Hammonton, N. J. Wholesale dealer in 

^ov*h State Swttei*^ 

MAPLE SUGAR & SYRUP, POTATOES & APPLES. 



Cn 1 1 1 1 I Shipping Agent for houses in Philadelphia, 
I Fl nil I I New York, Boston, etc., for forwarding Fruit, 
'Produce, etc., Hammonton, N. J. Shipping 
cards and stencils furnished on application. 



^^ ^^ .__. ,_. Our many years' experi- 

iVfl n I GT^ce has given us a knovvl- 

I II U I ^ edge of the different collieries, 
I "I I I ^^ I I and we keep for sale only 

V/V/XJlJ-At THE BEST. 

Orders promptly tilled, whether for 
100 pounds, a ton era carload. Othce and yard on Railroad 
avenue, corner of Orchard street. Orders may be left at the 
store of P. S. Tilton & Son. 

G. F. SAXTON. 



20 History op Hammonton. 

ANDREW^S & ROBERTS, 

Successors to O. E. Moore, headquarters for i 

i 

fish, Goantry Prodaee, | 

FOREIGN & DOMESTIC FRUIT, ' 

Creamery and York State Butter^ \ 
Canned Gocds^ Cheese^ Etc. ( 

Call and see us at the "Little" Store 'round the 
corner. Delivery wagon to all parts of town. 

The People's Bank, 

H:j^.is^:vno:N"TOisr, isr. cr. ' 

Capital|(authorized) . . . $50,000 
OapitaK(paid in) .... $20,000 ' 
Surplus'' $2,500 ; 

R. J. BYRNES, President. ! 

M. L. JACKSON, Vice President. W. R. TILTON, Cashier \ 

DIRECTORS. 
R. J. Byrnes, M. L. Jackson, Geo. Elvins,E. Stock- 
well, Z. U. Matthews, D. Colwell, J. C. Anderson, I 
J. C. Browning, A. J. Smith, C. F. Osgood, D. L. ! 
Potter, G. F. Saxton, P. S. Tilton, 

g:;;^Diseount Days: Tuesday and Friday Evenings.^:^^ 



History of Hammon'ton. 21 

WALTHER S( IRO^S, 



Manufacturers of 



WAGONS -km CM!1LAGES, 



Repairing and General Jobbing done neatly and Promptly. 

a specialty. New Farm Wagons; without a rival in quality 
or price. Come and see. 



Painting and Trimming 

DONE BY 

JOSEPH I. TAYLOR. 

ELAM STOCKW^ELL, 

Dealer In 

Groceries, Prisons, Feed, Di} Goods, &Ci 

SEWING MACHINES AND ORGANS. 

Rammonton, JVew Jersey. 

D. C. HERBERT, 

Dealer in all kinds of 

Custom Work and Repairing Neatly Executed. 
BELLEVUE AVENUE, HAMMONTON, N. J. 



22 



History of Hammonton. 




Returns Made Every Monday. Sales Reported Daily 

T. E. WESCOAT & CO., 

DEALERS IN 




333 North Water St., Philada, i 

Reference — Consolidation National Bank and Trade in Gen e/-al. 



History op Hammonton. 23 

Has the most complete line of 

to be found in town, which she is sellina; at prices which will 
surprise you all. Children's Trimmed Hats from 50 cents up, 
and Ladies' Trimmed Hats from $1 up. Hats of all kinds 
trimmed in the latest styles at bottom prices. In addition 
we carry a full line of 

Novelties, Fancy Goods, Notions, 

Trimmings, Hosier3\ and a very large stock of 

which we propose to sell below city prices. Orders taken for goods 
not in stock. fi^^No charge for trimming hats. 

MRS. D. ARLITZ. 

Heal Estate & Insaranee. 

FARMS AND TOWN LOTS 

For sale. Estates cared for. 

Insurance on all kinds of property. 

Farms for Poultrymen a specialty, as we are prac- 
tical poultrymen. 

All kinds of property sold at auction. 

Maj. C. M. Jordan & Co, 



24 



History of ITammonton. 



W. F. MALONEY, 

Mvery & Boarding Stables. 

New Clean Staile. 




Horses and Carriages 

^ to hire. Carriages to 

'""'(j^j meet all trains. All 

C kinds of carting done at 

short notice. 



^^^^^Stables opposite Camden and Atlantic Depot. 




The Walmer House — Winter Scene, 
H. E. Thayer, Piiop'r. 









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